Bill to clarify government position on evictions
Comment is to be sought on the Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land amendment Bills, which according to a Business Day report aim to strengthen the law and clarify governments position on these sensitive issues.
The Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act, or PIE Act, as it is known, came into force in 1998. It prohibits unlawful evictions and provides for fair procedures for the eviction of unlawful occupants of land. The amendment Bills were approved at the Cabinets last meeting of the year together with the Housing Amendment Bill, the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Amendment Bill and the Rental Housing Amendment Bill. One of the amendments to the PIE Act will make it an offence to arrange an unlawful occupation of land. This, notes the report, has been done to target unscrupulous people who organised unsuspecting landless communities to break the law. The Housing Amendment Bill addresses the contentious issue of the restriction of the sale of state-subsidised housing. Full Business Day report