The eThekwini Municipality land invasion unit security teams are preparing for land grabs ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections in 2026.
Image: eThekwini Municipality
THE eThekwini Municipality is taking proactive measures to strengthen its land invasion unit in anticipation of the upcoming Local Government Elections in 2026.
With land invasions becoming increasingly frequent, the municipality recognises the urgent need for enhanced security.
To address this pressing issue, a short-term capacity intervention has been proposed, requiring R3 million for a tactical training budget. The municipality’s security management services directorate recently presented its land invasion strategy and implementation plan to the eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco).
Bhekinkosi Mkhize, the operations director of the security management services, explained that the anticipated risks of land invasions during the election period necessitated immediate interim capacity support.
“The current staff complement of 70 personnel is critically insufficient to monitor, prevent, and respond to land invasion activities occurring on an almost hourly basis across all regions of the eThekwini Municipality,” he stated.
To bolster operational capacity, the unit has employed 88 learners through a learnership programme. These learners have completed training accredited by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) and have also participated in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 3 basic security services skills programme.
“Additional tactical training is required to enable learners to effectively support land invasion operations under supervision. There is a proposal to engage learners on a two-year fixed-term contract at a cost of R25 million per annum for business continuity,” Mkhize said.
The land invasion control unit is responsible for responding to threats and early-warning alerts from user departments and the community. Mkhize noted that most land invasion incidents occur outside normal business hours, necessitating sustained after-hours operations and heightened readiness.
“Escalating land invasions erode property values, disrupt planned developments, and result in unlawful and unsafe use of water and electricity infrastructure. Incursions directly undermine approved spatial development and service-delivery programmes,” Mkhize said.
He added that land invasions are intensifying across the city, affecting urban spaces, state-owned, and private properties.
“Informal structures can be erected in 60 minutes; monitoring is limited, so structures are often occupied before discovery. The Unit currently addresses only two primary responsibilities, leaving monitoring largely unaddressed,” he stated.
Mkhize expressed his desire to implement a strategic shift, moving from reactive enforcement to early intervention, coordination, and prevention. He outlined that the strategy is anchored on three core pillars aimed at preventing new informal settlements within the existing legal framework:
“We are strengthening in-house security capacity and the deployment of 24/7 rapid response units to intervene during the construction phase of illegal structures. We will utilise court interdicts to halt or slow land invasions,” he concluded.