By Lwazi Raul
Mbombela - A provincial task team has been formed to sort out the illegal occupation of houses in Tekwane South, outside Mpumalanga's capital city.
The task team was set up after some residents blocked traffic along the KaNyamazane road between 5am and 8am on Monday morning. They used burnt tyres and closed main roads in protest against being evicted from RDP houses they are illegally occupying.
“A provincial task team is currently in the field with some members from the community that were tasked to gather more information to compile a report about the situation in the area," said the provincial Human Settlements spokesperson, Freddy Ngobe.
Ngobe said the task team includes officials from the Departments of Human Settlements, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Mbombela local municipality.
The residents took to the streets to demand that they not be evicted from RDP houses that they bought illegally.
Most of the protestors bought houses in Tekwane South from RDP owners and dubious agents but were never given any title deeds.
The protest came after the provincial Department of Human Settlements wrote letters to them, instructing them to produce their title deeds or move out of the houses.
No one was injured or arrested during the protest on Monday.
Ngobe said the establishment of the task team is aimed at finding an amicable solution to the problem.
"After the report is compiled a decision will be taken," he said. – SAnews.gov.za
