The DA in Johannesburg is alarmed by the destructive trend of land invasions in the city, particularly in the South of Johannesburg.

These illegal acts fly in the face of the rule of law, which the DA upholds as a crucial pillar of our democracy. We take note that there are opportunists who are using land dispossession of the past and the present needs around land tenure and housing - to motivate people to invade land.

This is not only illegal and a violation of the rights of fellow citizens, but will ultimately inhibit service delivery to the people of this city. 

The unconstitutional call of expropriation without compensation appears to be fuelling this trend of land invasion.

We welcome the steps already taken by the Mayor of Joburg, Herman Mashaba, and City management to investigate those who are behind these land invasions. We would also like to commend MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, for his dedicated efforts in intervening in this situation.

We call on the City to redouble its efforts to stop land invasion. Moreover, we believe that a concurrent process of legal measures, such as ensuring that all Council land is protected by court-order (and that this is enforced) will help halt this reprehensible act at the soonest.

We implore residents to abide by the rule of law and to respect the process of housing allocations that is being conducted by the City.

We want to assure residents that the DA-led administration is working hard to give the people of Joburg title deeds to the their property. Thus far, 4 400 title deeds have already been handed over. We are committed to giving people the dignity of land ownership.

The EFF and ANC do not want South Africans to own land. They merely want our people to be tenants, renting land from the government.

These land grabs are nothing short of political posturing of the worst kind and show the EFF’s blatant disregard for the rule of law and the Constitution. This all while Ramaphosa and the ANC leadership sits idle.

The DA wants all people to own land. We want all South Africans to hold title deeds and own the land they live on. We stand behind land reform that ensures property and land ownership for the people and not the state.

Media Enquiries           

Heinrich Cyril Volmink
DA Regional Chairperson, Johannesburg

Lebogang Serapelwane
Gauteng Provincial Media Officer