Simelane proposes interdepartmental plan for informal settlements on military bases - IOL

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane.

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane said her department is considering an inter-departmental approach to deal with informal settlements encroaching on military bases.

Responding to parliamentary questions from IFP MP Alco Ngobese, Simelane said her department has engaged the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and other relevant organs of state regarding informal settlements located on or adjacent to military bases and other strategic State-owned land.

“The department is pursuing a coordinated intergovernmental approach involving the relevant national departments, provincial and municipal authorities and, where appropriate, entities such as the Housing Development Agency. This includes identifying affected areas, determining the extent of occupation and assessing appropriate interventions,” she said.

Simelane was responding to Ngobese, who asked her about engagements her department has had with the Department of Defence and other relevant departments regarding informal settlements encroaching on military bases and the reported need to relocate affected communities to alternative housing.

It was reported last year that informal settlements had encroached on 10 military bases , posing serious challenges to national security, operational readiness, and the safety of both military personnel and civilians.

The affected military bases are Tamboerskloof and Wingfield Naval Stores Depot in the Western Cape and 93 Ammunition Depot  and Combat Training Centre in the Northern Cape.

In Gauteng, the bases included Defence Works Training School, Marievale Military Base, Lenz Military Base, Defence Headquarters, Wallmansthal, and 43 SA Brigade.

In her response, Simelane said an interdepartmental working group will be established to address informal settlements encroaching on military bases in consultation with the participating institutions.

The departments involved would include Human Settlements, Defence and Military Veterans, Public Works and Infrastructure, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development, Agriculture and relevant provincial departments and municipalities.

Simelane said a consolidated number of households at informal settlements requiring relocation has not yet been established.

“The number of affected households will be confirmed through assessments undertaken with the relevant land-owning departments, provinces and municipalities,” she said.

Simelane indicated that where relocation was deemed necessary, suitable alternative land and applicable human settlements interventions will be identified in consultation with the relevant authorities.

“Existing human settlements programmes may be utilised, subject to programme criteria, planning and legislative requirements, land availability, and available funding.”

The minister stated that basic services at alternative sites will be addressed as part of the planning and development process, in consultation with the relevant municipalities and subject to infrastructure and funding availability.

However, no dedicated national allocation has been made specifically for the relocation of communities occupying military land.

“The department has not allocated dedicated funding for the relocation and rehousing of communities affected by informal settlement encroachment on military bases.

"Funding requirements will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Where appropriate, interventions may be supported through existing human settlements programmes, subject to the applicable programme criteria, legislative requirements, planning approvals, land availability and budgetary provisions.”

Simelane stated that her department will prioritise the identification and assessment of affected areas and thereafter develop appropriate interventions with the relevant institutions.

“These interventions will be undertaken in a manner that balances the provision of sustainable human settlements with the protection of military land and the operational and national security requirements of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans.”

The minister outlined several measures to prevent further encroachment on military bases and other strategic state-owned land.

Simelane named strengthening municipal land-use management, planning, and development control; community awareness and stakeholder engagement; and identifying, mapping, and monitoring areas at risk of unlawful occupation, among others.