Metro charts road to formal housing in Kameeldrift

The long-awaited formalisation of the Kameeldrift township is steadily unfolding as the relocation process is being outlined for the 2025/26 financial year.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed strides in the township establishment process.

Mashigo said the plans aim to bring long-term stability and infrastructure development to the historically informal Kameeldrift settlement.

Two major township extensions are at the heart of this formalisation plan:
– Kameeldrift Ext 42, which received approval at the end of last year
– Kameeldrift Ext 45, which is currently undergoing internal review by the metro’s departments and stakeholders.

“Relocations of beneficiaries are planned for the 2025/26 financial year. The Kameeldrift informal settlement was shack-marked by the metro in 2018. Details of occupants for each shack were captured, verified, and registered, and a beneficiary list was compiled to ensure fairness and transparency in the allocation process,” said Mashigo.

The metro is relying on this shack-marking system as a foundational step to ensure that houses are only allocated to eligible individuals.

According to Mashigo, those who have already benefited from housing opportunities elsewhere will be excluded to maintain equity and avoid duplication.

The township establishment application for Kameeldrift, which was submitted last year, has undergone several changes following departmental reviews.

Mashigo said updates have included minor changes such as amendments to street names, stand numbers, and access lines.

After receiving feedback from the Department of Economic Development and Spatial Planning, the metro was required to submit additional documentation, including updated conveyancer certificates and revised conditions of the establishment.

While no new feasibility studies have been conducted beyond these layout adjustments, Mashigo confirmed that full feasibility and environmental assessments will be conducted for additional land parcels once a service provider is appointed and the legal processes are completed.

Securing enough land for human settlements is a focus for the metro.

Mashigo said several properties surrounding Kameeldrift 298-JR have been earmarked for acquisition.

Two of these have already been acquired, while other negotiations are locked in legal disputes, with owners contesting the city’s expropriation process.

He said several properties have been included in the acquisition process.

“The timeline for allocating stands in the new financial year is contingent upon the approval of the township establishment application.”

Preventing illegal land occupations while pushing forward with formal housing development remains one of the biggest challenges in Kameeldrift.

The metro has established a dedicated Land Invasion Unit within the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), which has successfully intervened in recent land grabs.

“This proactive approach is part of the metro’s strategy to balance the prevention of illegal land occupation with addressing legitimate housing needs,” Mashigo emphasised.

The financial commitment behind the project is also notable. The estimated budget for the township establishment phase, including feasibility studies, is R1m, funded through the Informal Settlements Upgrading Programme Grant provided by the National Department of Human Settlements.

The full cost of providing such services as sanitation, roads, and electricity, however, will be budgeted for in the coming years, and infrastructure development is seen as vital for the new township.

Mashigo said the metro is currently investigating the installation and upgrade of bulk infrastructure to support both existing informal areas and the planned township zones.

Beyond housing, plans for economic sustainability are also in the pipeline. The metro has made provision for land use that includes schools, churches, and business stands to promote long-term viability and community upliftment.

Once the township is formally proclaimed, municipal accounts will be issued to residents, bringing them into the metro’s formal billing system and contributing to the broader economic framework of Tshwane.

Resident David Macheke (53), whose shack was demolished earlier this year in plot 175, hopes that the relocation process will be smooth without any hurdles.

He said, “We have been waiting for the relocation process for more than five years. They always tell us to register, and they don’t come back to us. I have children who live with me, but now that they have demolished my shack, I have to take them back home.”

Concerned resident Petrus Mothupi said, “I strongly believe that the root cause of the conflict in Plot 175 is the failure of the Office of the MMC for Human Settlements to relocate the community promptly. I urge the Tshwane municipality, Ward 87 councillor, and the Office of the MEC for Human Settlements to take immediate action to address the issues affecting our community.

“A determined effort is needed to address the lack of relocation and formalisation in the area,” said Mothupi.

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