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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane notes with deep concern that, despite Minister Leon Schreiber (DA) of Home Affairs' law enforcement operation in Plastic View and Cemetery View earlier this year, the municipality has failed to remove the illegal structures left behind, or act on the pressing matter of relocation.

Minister Leon Schreiber’s decisive action to deport undocumented foreign nationals created the opportunity for the City of Tshwane to follow through by demolishing unoccupied structures and prevent reoccupation. Yet, three months later, the City has dragged its feet, allowing the problem to persist and leaving residents and ratepayers to carry the cost of inaction.

Equally troubling is the fact that land has been earmarked – with a wayleave already granted – to relocate South African citizens currently living in Cemetery View and Plastic View. The project was due to start on 1 July 2025 but has not yet started. This relocation is the final roadblock to restoring Pretoria East to stability, safety, and lawful land use.

The DA’s message is simple: stop delaying and continue what has been set in motion, after advocacy by ward councillors Malcolm de Klerk and Henning Viljoen when the DA's Cilliers Brink was the Mayor of the City of Tshwane. The urgent relocation of South Africans to the land set aside for this very purpose must proceed without further excuses.

The DA will continue to apply relentless pressure from within the Section 79 Housing and Human Settlements Oversight Committee to ensure that the City honours its commitments, removes the illegal structures, and delivers on its responsibility to lawful residents.

Issued by Cllr Shaun Wilkinson - DA Tshwane Spokesperson for Housing and Human Settlements