Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is in talks with parties across Parliament to rally backing for our Private Members Bill to amend the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE Act).
This is a question of national urgency. To stand in the way of these amendments would be reckless in the extreme.
The Bill’s purpose is to take on the criminal syndicates and political opportunists who prey on people’s desperation. In Gauteng and beyond, these groups illegally “sell” land that cannot be lived on, pocket the cash, and disappear. What follows is chaos: municipalities left to spend billions on emergency services instead of delivering proper housing.
Money stolen in this way is money stolen from families patiently waiting their turn for a safe home.
The result is visible everywhere. Gauteng alone has more than 1 000 informal settlements, many appearing almost overnight on land without water, sanitation or electricity. Families are left in unsafe, unhealthy conditions, while municipalities are forced to divert housing budgets simply to contain the fallout.
The DA’s Bill is the only practical plan on the table. It will:
- Make it a crime to incite illegal land invasions.
- Strengthen court requirements on alternative accommodation for unlawful occupiers.
- Protect municipalities from the endless cycle of invasions draining scarce housing budgets.
Based on the Department’s own timelines, amendments to the PIE Act through the normal process could take anywhere between four to five years. That means South Africa may only see change in 2030 – far too late for municipalities already buckling under the pressure of land invasions. The DA’s Bill, already before Parliament, offers an immediate solution that can provide relief to communities and local governments now. South Africa cannot afford to wait.
This is about protecting property rights, stopping exploitation, and ensuring fairness in the housing system. A responsible government doesn’t rely on bulldozers or dangerous scapegoating. It ensures that compassion and law work hand in hand.
If Parliament does not act, the crisis of syndicate-driven land grabs will spiral even further. The DA calls on all parties to put South Africa first and support these crucial reforms.
Regards
Luyolo Mphithi MP
DA Spokesperson on Human Settlements