Below is a response from MEC for human settlement, M.R Bonginkosi Madikizela

After Number of protest in front of the office of [Western Cape] MEC for human settlement M.R Bonginkosi Madikizela, yesterday his office gave us a written response on our demand:

i.e. calling on MEC to sign an undertaking that he will not ever again carry any illegal evictions and demolitions within the Western Cape Province or to step down as MEC for human settlement.

We must say it as an organization we are so disappointed with his response and we believe that  through his response he is not willing to stop carrying illegal evictions.

This leaves us with no choice/ options but to mobilize communities and call on his immediate resignation as MEC.

in solidarity

Mzonke Poni
ABM WC

Department of Human Settlements
Provincial Government of the Western Cape

For attention: Mr Poni

RE: Undertaking not to carry any illegal evictions within the province

With regard to Abahlali baseMjondolo's request for an undertaking, the Provincial Department of Human Settlements' position is as follows.

The City of Cape Towns Anti-Land Invasion Unit is mandated to protect all the government owned land within the metropolitan area. This unit is responsible for ensuring that state land is not illegally occupied, Its mandate, together with the rest of metro police and the SA Police Force, is to enforce the law. I support their action in this regard. and I dispute the fact that this amounts to intimidation.

If Abahlali baseMjondolo (ABM) believes the Metro or SA Police Officers have gone beyond their mandate or broken the law, then I suggest ABM submit a complaint to the Independent Complaints Directorate.

The government protects its land to provide houses for people in need. Houses are provided according to recognised legal processes. In order to receive these houses and sites, applicants need to go through the necessary legal process. We are not going to allow people to jump the queue by invading plots that have been allocated to someone else. The land in question belongs to already identified beneficiaries who have been waiting for years for their houses to be delivered.

I understand the concerns of backyarders - and I have undertaken to include them to as great on extent as possible in current projects, and on a 50/50 basis on future projects - but I will not accept the illegal occupation of properties which belong to the government and/or the rightful beneficiaries of houses to be built on those properties.

Despite the fact that people who have broken the law are now seeking its protection, the government does follow due process when evictions are required. If anyone feels that due process has not been followed, they have every right to pursue the matter through a court of law.

If the occupants of the sites and houses in question feel they are the rightful owners of the properties, then they will need to provide proof of ownership in order to retain their houses and sites.

Yours sincerely

Bonginkosi Madikizela

Minister of Human Settlements, Western Cape

DATE: April 15  2011

Issued by ABM Western Cape, April 20 2011

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