Question NW379 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Reply:

The information used to respond to this question was provided by the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

The City of Ekurhuleni (COE) has noted the concern raised in relation to the alleged illegal occupation of portion 36 of the Weltervreden Farm 118, IR as well as the remaining extent of the farm, Weltervreden 118 IR, Brakpan.

We confirm that the area in question is described as follows:

Brakpan old location is located on the remainder of the farm Weltervreden 118 I.R. and portion 13 of the farm Weltevreden 118 I.R.

Locality: The property is situated in the south-eastern part of the Ekurhuleni Municipal area, within the Brakpan CCC administration area. South of and adjacent to Brakpan “Proper”. Specifically, it is located south/south-east of Brakpan “Proper”, north of the suburb of Brenthurst and separated by a spruit from Springs Airfield.

Property owner: Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The property is registered in Terms of Deeds of Transfer No. T80023/2000 the Remainder and T292/1947, Portion 13

The matter of the 872 unlawful occupation of land was acted upon and a legal process was followed to obtain a court order which was obtained on 20 October 2017.

Upon receipt of the court order, the COE engaged with its Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the Brakpan Sheriff on the execution and enforcement of the court order. The EMPD undertook the clearing of 190 unoccupied, incomplete structures and is regularly monitoring to prevent new land invasion incidents.

The Sheriff has given assurance to ensure the execution of the court order for occupied structures. At this stage, sufficient funding is being sought to procure a resource to assist the Sheriff to demolish the occupied structures. Details of the exact date for the enforcement thereof will be communicated.

Ends…