Officials from the City’s Human Settlements team, including the Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi, today told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee of Human Settlements that 99% of the City’s informal settlements grant had been spent in 2021/22 to improve the lives of residents in informality. Worryingly, since 2018 to 2022, the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG) funding allocation to the City from the National Government systematically declined, despite the demands for basic services and upgrading informality increasing.

'We are clearly delivering despite the immense challenges we are facing. The unprecedented large-scale unlawful occupations created 186 new informal settlements, or more than 69 000 new structures (between March 2020 to December 2021). The impact on housing beneficiaries is that 4 728 housing opportunities were lost and it will cost more than R263 million in capital funds and R176 million in operational costs per year to cater for these settlements in perpetuity.

'The financial implications of these land occupations are enormous and will have a long-term effect on the city. The City does not have the resources to cater for all newly formed settlements often immediately asking for services.

'Importantly, more than 60% of these new settlements are considered high risk – situated under power lines, in wetlands, retention ponds and biodiversity protected areas. We'd need about 500 ha of land for these new occupants, identified to be at risk due to their physical location. Land in Cape Town, due to it being located on a Peninsula, is already scarce.

'So, seen against an almost 100% delivery of informal settlement services and upgrades, it is clear the City is able to spend the budgets it has on the people it is earmarked for. However, dwindling national government grants are having a real impact.

'Furthermore, the City is clearly up against criminals using 'construction mafia' tactics threatening the safety and security of staff and contractors on sites, some sites being marked by bloodshed and extreme violence. It is a real predicament. Despite all of this, we show up every day; roll up our sleeves and try to make a difference,' said Booi.

City actions to address the unlawful occupation situation

Human Settlement Strategy –adopted by Council

Unlawful Land Occupation Bylaw – adopted by Council

Draft Standard Operating Process for the Provision of Relief Services for Un-serviced informal settlements

Unlawful Land Occupation (ULO) Framework

Joint Operation Centre with all line departments for daily monitoring of all land invasion attempts and feedback on planned operations

Deployment of private security with tactical response capabilities

Legal process for interdicts to protect land and eviction orders in terms of Pie Act

Source: City Of Cape Town