Govan Mbeki Municipality is facing a problem of land invasion, especially in townships like eMbalenhle, Leandra, eMzinoni and Kinross.
The municipality is therefore seeking inputs from the public on the control and management of informal settlement by-law, as required by the country’s constitution.
Some of these land invasions happen in flood-line areas where people are putting their lives in danger.
In eMbalenhle alone, there are five informal settlements that have emanated from land invasions.
These are in extensions 22, 18, 20, 16 and 26.
Residents in these areas are also faced with a high crime rate, and water and electricity theft.
They are also experiencing electricity cuts because of illegal connections to the network and they also connect water illegally without metres to determine the consumption.
In previous years, the municipality raised concerns about the high water and electricity bills from both Rand Water and Eskom that emanated from those illegal connections, but there was no plan to stop it.
The municipality said this was due to water and electricity losses or theft.
The constitution states that a municipality may make and administer by-laws for the effective administration of the matters which it has the right to administer.
Subject to section 151(4), a by-law that conflicts with national or provincial legislation is invalid.
If there is a conflict between a by-law and national or provincial legislation that is inoperative because of a conflict referred to in section 149, the by-law must be regarded as valid for as long as that legislation is inoperative.
Inputs can be forwarded to Govan Mbeki municipality Facebook page and the written comments can be faxed to 017 634 8019.
