Reprinted from iol.com, by Siphokazi Vuso – 2022-09-08
Cape Town – Human rights group Ndifuna Ukwazi says it hopes a new Prevention of Illegal Eviction from Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill, 2022 introduced by the DA will be aligned with protecting the rights of the landless and homeless.
According to the draft bill the PIE Act “needs to be restricted in certain instances to prevent those unlawful occupiers, who have entered upon a property in bad faith, from using the PIE Act as a defence or delay tactic at the cost of the owner of the property”.
Ndifuna Ukwazi head of organising, Buhle Booi said they hoped the amendments would benefit residents who were being “strung along on a mythical waiting list”.
“We are also concerned that the DA’s position is regurgitating one side of the story, and does not account for addressing the systemic and historical issues relating to land occupations, especially given the history of the country. The actions of City of Cape Town law enforcement has inhumanly and illegally evicted families are testament to a culture of disdain for the laws of the country,” said Booi.
The DA called for interested parties and institutions to submit written representations on the proposed content of the draft Bill to the Speaker of the National Assembly within 30 days.
Representations can be delivered to the Speaker, New Assembly Building, Parliament Street, Cape Town; mailed to the Speaker at PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000; or e-mailed to speaker@parliament.gov.za and copied to legislation@da.org.za
For further information
Simon Dippenaar & Associates, Inc. is a Cape Town law firm of specialist eviction lawyers, now operating in Johannesburg and Durban, helping both landlords and tenants with the eviction process. Contact one of our eviction attorneys on 086 099 5146 or simon@sdlaw.co.za if you need advice on the eviction process or if you are facing unlawful eviction.
