Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing has threatened to evict people who bought houses built on government and privately owned land in Lenasia.
More than sixty land sites belonging to Government as well as privately owned land is said to have been sold to unsuspecting people in Lenasia South and Lenasia Extension 13.
The department is now conducting an audit on all sites which have been reported to have been stolen and sold to people.
MEC Kgaogelo Lekgoro said the department wants to know the number of properties which have been built in Lenasia, and which pieces of land they were built on.
"This is a big issue for us because we want to send a message against anybody who would think of selling government land. We want them to know that they will be arrested and sent to jail," warned Lekgoro.
He said all people should abide by the rule of law and that the department will use the information of the audited land sites to remove those who bought the land illegally.
"The department will also go to the court to obtain eviction orders as well as the possibility of demolishing illegally built properties on government owned land."
Lekgoro said the department's Anti Fraud and Corruption Unit was working closely with the police to arrest suspects.
He urged community members who have further information that will assist with the investigation to contact Colonel Maleka on 079 495 4495 or send him an SMS.
"Many more people are coming forward with information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects. People are also informing the department about some of the people they know who are staying on completed houses built on government land and others are coming forward with information about how the operation works and who they were giving money to," said Lekgoro.
