Evictions have begun at the Obed “Mthombeni” Nkosi Housing Project in the Sedibeng region after hundreds of state-subsidised houses were illegally occupied.
On Thursday (March 12), the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and the Lesedi Local Municipality confirmed that law enforcement authorities had started removing unlawful occupants from the development following the granting of several court orders.
The evictions come after the number of illegally occupied houses increased sharply in recent months.
According to the department, the project initially experienced 48 illegal occupations, but this later escalated to 292 housing units before enforcement action could be carried out.
Mapepeza Media shared videos on social media on Wednesday showing the eviction operation underway at the housing project, drawing strong reactions from community members online.
Authorities said the eviction process is being supported by the Sheriff of the Court, the South African Police Service and Public Order Policing units.
Private security has also been deployed by the project developer to secure the houses and prevent further illegal occupation.
Officials stressed that the houses are not abandoned structures but fully built government-subsidised homes intended for approved beneficiaries.
“These houses are meant for qualifying beneficiaries who have been approved through the official housing allocation process,” the department said in a joint statement with the municipality.
The Beneficiary Administration Units are currently finalising the verified list of approved beneficiaries, and the formal allocation of the houses is expected to begin soon.
Government warned that illegal land occupation disrupts housing delivery programmes and delays access to housing for residents who have been waiting for years.
“The illegal occupation of land or state houses undermines government’s efforts to deliver housing in a fair and orderly manner,” the statement said.
Authorities also issued a warning to individuals and groups involved in organising land invasions, saying such actions are unlawful and will face legal consequences.
The department and the municipality urged communities to report illegal land invasions so that authorities can act quickly to protect housing developments and ensure homes are allocated to deserving beneficiaries.
