Human Settlements MEC condemns land invasions, calls for govt intervention
The KZN Department of Human Settlements has condemned the petrol bombing of a home in Durban's Puntans Hill, in the Morningside area, this weekend.
According to residents, the house was bombed on Saturday night by people living at a nearby informal settlement - which encroaches onto the homeowner's property.
Officials from the department met with residents - both formal and informal - last night.
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MEC Ravi Pillay says land invasions are an unlawful criminal act, adding that the Department of Community Safety has been brought in.
Pillay says the Premier's special advisor has been appointed as a mediator until a sustainable solution is found.
"The demand for land is there and real - the other side of governments responsibility is to respond to that need. Of course we have comprehensive policies which unfortunately take time and does not deal with the backlog at the pace at which people require it. And then you have areas that are highly susceptible because they are so close to town and places of employment," he said.