Lili’s call for ‘ masses to revolt’ is cause for great concern

IN RESPONSE to comments by MPL Andile Lili.

Housing developments and opportunities in the Western Cape face a number of issues, including a lack of funding and illegal land invasions. The occupation of buildings earmarked for housing development, such as the Woodstock Hospital and the former Helen Bowden retirement home near the V&A Waterfront, are tragic instances of so-called community organisations taking advantage of the plight of the homeless and hampering government’s plans to provide homes for beneficiaries.

With these challenges facing the delivery of an essential service, it is vital that elected public representatives ensure that they are careful with their words and do not appear to be endorsing land grabs or other inciteful behaviour. This week Lili provided comments, saying that he would support residents in “whatever way” to make the DA-led government listen to them.

He is also quoted as calling on “the masses to revolt” and “teach the DA a lesson that they will never forget”. I remain, however, hopeful that Mr Lili, as an elected representative and a member of the standing committee on human settlements, did not in fact literally mean in ‘whatever way’ and that his call for so-called revolt is in line with the law. But I do ask, would such ‘ways’ include illegal occupation, the incitement of violent behaviour or violation of lockdown regulations as we saw last year with Mr Lili and his ANC comrades in Khayelitsha?

Land invasions are a serious, and costly, issue – one that impacts national and provincial government.

The provincial government has spent R355 million this past year to prevent land invasions.

Currently, national government is seeking an eviction order from the Western Cape High Court for residents of the Siyahlala informal settlement in Langa which occupies a portion of the central line.

The invasion of land costs those that have been waiting on the housing demand database. Families have to wait while individuals place themselves ahead of law-abiding Western Cape residents, tying up government resources which should be allocated to those who continue to face challenging circumstances.

It is their rights that us, as elected representatives, need to protect.

MPL MATLHODI MASEKO | DA Western Cape spokesperson for Human Settlements.