Submission on The Limpopo Prevention And Control Of Informal Settlements Bill, 2011

The Bill is, at best, a partial response to the need to address informal settlement conditions in Limpopo. In focussing on “elimination” and “control” at the expense of upgrading, rapid release of appropriately located land and positive measures to cater for new migrants to urban centres, the Bill does little to address the needs of people currently living in informal settlements, or those likely to seek housing opportunities there in future. On the other hand, through its emphasis evictions and the creation of new criminal offences as means of “elimination” and “control”, the Bill is likely to undermine security of tenure for Limpopo’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens.