Opposition party councillors in the KwaDukuza Municipality have raised concerns about land invasions in that local municipality, which are undermining housing developments. DA councillors stated that land worth millions has been invaded.
DA Councillor Bulelwa Mvulana said the DA in KwaDukuza is calling on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements to play a more active role in assisting local municipalities in securing land earmarked for development.
“In addition to this, we will be compelling the Community Safety Business Unit in the municipality to ensure that the Land Invasion Unit fulfils their contractual responsibilities with immediate effect,” said the DA councillor.
“Despite the public statement and lip service from the allegedly axed KwaDukuza Mayor, Lindi Nhaca, on the 17th of September, land invasions at the Rocky Ridge Development continue unabated,” the councillor continued.
This land was earmarked for housing and was purchased by the Provincial Department of Human Settlements at a cost of R44 million. While the housing crisis in KwaDukuza continues, there appears to be very little or no will to develop sites funded by the taxpayer.
Councillor Mvulana stated that while the KwaDukuza Municipal legal department confirms that a court order is in place to prevent invasions on this site, the enforcement of the interim order has been shambolic.
“In addition to this, council is forking out over R300,000 per month for a Land Invasion Unit through Pro Secure, who remain wholly incapable of dealing with this crisis. Land earmarked for housing needs to be swiftly developed for the intended beneficiaries,” said Mvulana.
The Mercury