Statement by Luyolo Mphithi MP – DA Spokesperson on Human Settlements:
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the publication of the draft Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill for public comment.
This development marks a clear step forward in addressing the crisis of illegal land invasions. The core reforms now being advanced by the Department were first introduced by the DA in Parliament in 2023.
At the time, the DA tabled legislation to:
- Criminalise the incitement and organisation of unlawful land invasions, including where no payment is involved
- Strengthen the criteria courts must consider when granting eviction orders
- Empower courts to order alternative accommodation with clear conditions and timeframes
The DA’s Bill, introduced in 2023, was formally presented to the Portfolio Committee in 2025, where the Department of Human Settlements indicated its agreement with the substance of the DA’s approach and undertook to bring forward its own Bill to be tabled by the Minister of Human Settlements in early 2026.
The draft now published reflects that agreement. Key provisions advanced by the DA are now embedded in the Department’s Bill, which goes even further to tackle this crisis head on.
This is how Parliament should work. Constructive, evidence-based proposals must shape policy, regardless of where they originate.
Illegal land invasions place immense strain on municipalities, undermine spatial planning, and erode the rule of law. At the same time, millions of South Africans remain on lawful housing waiting lists.
South Africa cannot sustain a system where illegality is rewarded and legality is undermined.
The DA remains committed to practical, enforceable reform that restores order to land use, protects property rights, and ensures that housing delivery is fair, lawful and sustainable.
We thank the Minister for attending to this matter with speed, and encourage all South Africans to participate in the public comment process over the next 60 days.
Within the Government of National Unity, the DA will continue to drive reforms that are grounded in law, evidence, and the lived realities of communities across the country.
Wanted Candy
Van der Merwe goes to Paris to watch the Boks take on the Brits at the world cup.
Whilst in Paris, he walks around, gaping and staring at everything – so much so that he walks smack bang into a fire hydrant which hits him so hard on the family jewels that he has to be rushed to hospital where the doctors tell him they have to remove his testicles.
Van goes berserk, he bites and snarls at every one and he won\’t let anybody within 10 metres of him. Eventually they find a South African doctor in the hospital and get him to talk to Van.
He walks up to Van and tells him \”Hey Van, die ouens moet jou knaters uithaal.\”
Van replies \”O, okay, ek dog die bliksems wil my test tickets vat.\”
Scratch Man
\”Reeeelly??\” says Van.
\”Ja\”, says the larnie. \”Check, there\’s someone up front now, I\’ll show you!\”
He starts steering towards the pedestrian, grinning from ear-to-ear, then at the last second he swerves back onto the road. But he hears a terrific \’thud\’, and he glances left to see Van closing the door.
\”What the hell, man!\’ he shouts.
\”Jirrah\” says Van, \”You need to get those sights adjusted, china, If I hadn\’t opened the door, you would have missed him completely!\”