Johannesburg - Gauteng has warned people in Lawley and Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg, to stop invading land which does not belong to them.
The provincial human settlements department said on Tuesday that residents of Lawley extension four and Ennerdale extension six had tried to illegally erect shacks on the stands in the area on the weekend.
The Johannesburg metro police were called to stop them.
It said the south of Johannesburg had experienced one of the largest land grabs in the province, with some individuals and syndicates stealing government-built houses and selling them.
“We have explained to the residents of both Ennerdale and Lawley that we have plans in place to develop these areas in order to ease the burden of housing,” City of Johannesburg housing MMC Dan Bovu said.
“One of the hold-ups is the connection to water and sewage, and once that is resolved, the construction of houses will begin”, he said.
Human Settlements MEC Ntombi Mekgwe said the acts were irresponsible and demonstrated a lack of leadership.
Sapa