By JOHANNESBURG — As the political temperature rises ahead of the upcoming local government elections, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has drawn a firm line in the sand, warning political parties against weaponising housing and land invasions for electoral mileage.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the Department declared it will not be deterred by the electoral calendar from executing its lawful mandate, pressing ahead with high-stakes eviction proceedings against illegal occupiers who have targeted state land and housing projects in Soshanguve.
The crackdown targets unauthorized occupations across several flashpoints, including parts of Department-owned land and two major building projects in Soshanguve Extension 19, alongside ongoing developments in Soshanguve blocks BB, GG, and FF.
The Legal Front
The provincial authority has already secured a crucial legal victory, having obtained a court interdict under Part A of its eviction proceedings. This ruling explicitly blocks further invasions, restrains illegal occupants from obstructing officials, and grants the Department the legal backing required to identify the trespassers.
Underscoring the gravity of the situation, the Department issued a direct warning to political actors.
“We further caution political parties not to politicise the process or use it for campaigning in the upcoming elections,” the Department stated. “House and land invasion is a crime, and political parties should be careful not to protect people who commit crimes in order to secure votes.”
Authorities emphasize that these illegal takeovers do more than just flout the rule of law—they directly sabotage service delivery. Unlawful occupations hijack housing intended for legitimate, vetted beneficiaries on housing waiting lists, while simultaneously exposing the invaders themselves to severe safety hazards in incomplete, uncertified structures.
On-the-Ground Enforcement
Momentum on the ground has accelerated in recent weeks. On September 22, 2026, the Department launched a comprehensive occupancy audit at Block GG, backed by a formidable multi-agency security presence that included the South African Police Service (SAPS), Tshwane Metro Police, and Public Order Policing. Follow-up site inspections and audits continued this week in strict compliance with court mandates.
These meticulous audits are a vital precursor to the Department’s next legal hurdle: returning to court to secure a final, permanent eviction order under Part B of the proceedings. Officials are currently compiling the final audit report, which will form the cornerstone of their upcoming court application.
A Unified Front in Tshwane
The provincial government’s hard-line stance has found strong backing at the municipal level. Aaron Maluleka, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements in Tshwane, threw his full weight behind the provincial department’s actions.
Maluleka stressed that unchecked land grabs undermine the constitutional rights of patient, law-abiding residents who have waited years for state housing.
“As we approach the Local Government Elections, housing and land invasion must not be used to score political points,” Maluleka warned. “We urge communities to respect the law and allow the occupancy audits and court processes to run their course. Our priority is to ensure that housing opportunities are allocated fairly and reach those who qualify.”
As election day draws closer, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the City of Tshwane have made it crystal clear: the ballot box will not become a shield for criminality, and the delivery of public housing will remain anchored in the rule of law.
