On June 2, 2025, the MMC for Housing, Cllr Aaron Maluleka, met with Ward Councillors and community stakeholders from Hoekplaats, Geraardsville, and surrounding areas. The urgent topic? The illegal land invasions along the M26 and the serious impact they’re having on law abiding landowners, infrastructure, and the environment.
Forum is concerned about the expansion of squatter camps in the Erasmia area,
which even have electricity supply.
Also present were Cllrs Patel, Marika, and Prajay, along with officials from Human Settlements.
As the Concerned Community Forum, we received the minutes from Cllr Prajay and dissected it because we believe residents deserve straight answers and practical solutions.
Here’s what we learned, and the key questions we’re asking on behalf of the community:
- Services Are Being Stretched Thin
The City of Tshwane currently has 502 informal settlements. To respond to these, the City is spending:
R30 million on emergency toilets
R300 million on water tankers
R77 million to replace stolen electricity cables
But this affects the rest of us.
Our Question?
Why are so many millions being spent on unsustainable stopgap services instead of long-term housing plans that are fair to all residents?
2. Illegal Connections and Infrastructure Damage Cables are being stolen, electricity is being illegally connected, and infrastructure is being tampered with.
Our Question?
What is the City doing to protect infrastructure from ongoing theft and abuse, and how are residents being compensated when their areas suffer because of it?
- A Double Standard for Landowners We were alarmed to hear that squatters can build without plans, yet legal landowners are forced to follow strict building regulations.
Our Question?
How is it fair that those who break the law face fewer consequences than those who comply? What is the City doing to fix this imbalance?
4. Environmental Damage in Greenbelt Areas A dolomite mine application was recently rejected due to environmental concerns. Yet now, illegal dwellings are damaging the same protected greenbelt, putting our water resources at risk.
Our Question?
Why are environmental laws not enforced equally? Shouldn’t illegal settlements on greenbelts be treated with the same urgency as industrial developments?
- Legal Blockages Preventing Action The MMC shared that only a court order allows the City to remove illegal occupants, even when they’re on private or protected land. Years ago, a Councillor was even threatened with arrest for trying to act.
Our Question?
What legal reforms or partnerships (e.g., with the courts or human rights bodies) are being considered to help protect our communities from illegal land invasion?
- What the CCF Is Demanding A media campaign to warn people not to buy land from illegal sellers Strict by-law enforcement for all building, health, electricity, and fire violations Multi-agency raids (Home Affairs, SAPS, SARS) to:
Disconnect illegal electricity
Recover stolen infrastructure
Address undocumented immigration and criminal elements
Our Question?
When will these plans begin, and how will communities be kept informed of progress? Conclusion: Protecting Law, Land, and Ratepayers
We fully understand that the City is under pressure—but we cannot allow law-abiding, tax-paying citizens to be punished while those breaking the law face no consequences.
As the Concerned Community Forum, we will keep raising your concerns, and holding
the City accountable. Together, let’s push for fairness, action, and accountability.
SEE IT. SAY IT. FIX IT. TOGETHER!!!