SHACKS of land invaders were demolished in Palm Ridge.
More than 200 families were left stranded when the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements demolished 200 land invaders' shacks in Palm Ridge, Ekurhuleni, on Tuesday, 12 December.
The invaders took occupation in December 2022 of the department's serviced stands meant for its Ikageleng Rapid Land Release programme.
The invaders also illegally connected themselves to electricity, water and the sewer system and caused damage to public infrastructure.
Following a court battle which started in December 2022, the High Court granted the department an eviction order in January 2023.
In March 2023, the invaders requested via the courts a stay in execution, which they subsequently lost.
According to Gauteng Department of Human Settlements spokesman Tahir Sema, they tried several times to engage the illegal invaders but with no luck.
He said the joint operation initiated by the department included Ekurhuleni Metro police, the SAPS, Home Affairs and a local NGO called Ekupholeni Mental Health and Trauma Centre, which offered counselling services to the evicted people.
Sema said the invasion disrupted an important programme of the department, which is meant for deserving beneficiaries who had waited a long time on their waiting list.
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This programme allocates serviced stands with water, electricity and sewer connections to qualifying beneficiaries who earn from R3 501 to R22000 and can build houses for themselves.
Sema said the department won't hesitate to evict those who invade land and property.
He also encouraged communities to report the illegal occupation of land and houses to local law enforcement.
"These unlawful acts delay much-needed development and the provision of services meant for communities.
"We're working with the courts, developers, and police to execute eviction orders against these illegal acts of land and house invasions," said Sema.
