IN CONVERSATION WITH PAUL MASEMOLA, Department of Human Settlements Head of Legal.

The Department of Human Settlements will commence with public information sessions on the draft Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill on Wednesday, 06 May 2026. The first Gauteng session will be held in the City of Tshwane, followed by sessions in the Cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni scheduled for 21 and 22 May 2026 respectively. This follows the recent release of the PIE Amendment Bill for public comment by Minister Simelane. The proposed amendments seek to revise the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act of 1998, a key piece of legislation originally enacted to prevent arbitrary evictions and to address historical injustices linked to 09:35 forced removals without due legal process. The Bill aims to strengthen the legal and policy framework relating to land invasions and informal settlements, while also addressing the provision of adequate housing to reduce unlawful occupation of private property. It further focuses on improving court processes, the enforcement of eviction orders, and the protection of vulnerable groups affected by eviction-related matters. The public participation process is intended to ensure broader stakeholder engagement on these proposed changes, particularly given their potential impact on housing rights, land management, and urban development across South Africa. Instagram · Twitter