Prevention of Illegal Eviction Amendment Bill: Public Consultations and Comment Deadline

Posted 25 May 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Property Law

Brought to you by SAnews: The Department of Human Settlements is hosting public consultation sessions on the draft Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, No. 19 of 1998.

The draft Bill, which was published in the Government Gazette on 16 April 2026, aims to reform the regulatory and judicial processes governing unlawful land occupation and evictions. Interested parties and stakeholders have until 16 June 2026 to submit written representations and comments on the proposed legislative changes to [email protected].

The proposed amendments to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, No. 19 of 1998 focus on several critical regulatory areas:

  • Provisions to address and deter land invasions and the rapid expansion of informal settlements;
  • The role of state organs in providing adequate alternative housing to mitigate the unlawful occupation of privately owned properties;
  • Streamlining court processes and enhancing the enforcement of eviction orders; and
  • Strengthening the legal protections afforded to vulnerable groups during eviction proceedings.

The Department of Human Settlements is currently conducting nationwide provincial information sessions to gather public input, with recent sessions held in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations; however, legal professionals specialising in property litigation must review the draft amendments to prepare for upcoming changes in court procedures and eviction application timelines.
  • For your business: Property development firms, asset managers, and real estate agencies must assess how the revised court processes and enforcement mechanisms for eviction orders will impact property management risk profiles and holding costs.
  • For your clients: Landowners, municipal entities, and property investors must be advised on the potential shifting of obligations regarding alternative accommodation and the expedited legal remedies available against unlawful land invasions.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/western-cape-holds-public-consultations-eviction-law-amendments

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Acts Online. Acts Online accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the article, nor does the information contained herein constitute advice, legal or otherwise.