KWA DUKUZA - Proposed amendments to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act are facing growing criticism.
Activists and civil society groups warn that the amendments could criminalise poverty and weaken protection for the vulnerable.
Government gazetted the proposed changes for public comment earlier this month.
Lungiswa Matomela who lives at the Sheffield informal settlement in KwaDukuza, said she moved to KZN for work.
But after losing her job, she could no longer afford rent and settled with her children.
Matomela said hundreds of families live on the municipal-owned land and have been in and out of court in a long-running dispute with officials.
“It's difficult living in these kinds of circumstances especially when you don't have lawyers and activists like Abahlali baseMjondolo to fight for your rights. But since we have the shack dwellers movement protecting us, things have improved for us. So, the PIE Act in its current form is what allows us to stay here, however the proposed changes mean the law that we have always relied on to have our back will be neglecting us.”
In a statement, the KwaDukuza Municipality said it remains guided by the PIE Act and that the Sheffield case was settled out of court with no mass evictions.
It said government wants to upgrade the settlement and provide basic services.
Long-term housing plans for the site are still in progress.
The municipality added that it supports the proposed amendments that would help better manage land use while still protecting vulnerable occupiers.