Public Consultations Held on PIE Amendment Bill in Mpumalanga and Limpopo

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane published the proposed PIE Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette earlier this year.

The Department of Human Settlements will this week continue its nationwide public consultation process on the proposed Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Amendment Bill with a series of information sessions scheduled across Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

The public engagements, taking place from 19 to 21 May 2026, form part of government's efforts to gather public input and raise awareness about the proposed legislative amendments aimed at strengthening the legal framework governing evictions and unlawful occupation of land in South Africa.

The consultations follow earlier public engagement sessions successfully conducted in KwaZulu-Natal on 13 and 15 May.

Public Sessions to Be Held Across Mpumalanga and Limpopo

According to the Department of Human Settlements, the information sessions are intended to provide communities, stakeholders and interested parties with an opportunity to better understand the proposed amendments and participate in the legislative process.

Mpumalanga Sessions

In Mpumalanga, the programme began on Tuesday with a session at:

• Valencia Community Hall in the City of Mbombela.

Additional sessions are scheduled to take place at:

• Nkangala District Municipality on 20 May at City Hall in Middelburg, and

• Gert Sibande District Municipality on 21 May at City Hall in Secunda.

Limpopo Sessions

In Limpopo, public sessions are being held at:

• Nirvana Community Hall in Polokwane on Tuesday, and

• Seleka Community Hall in Lephalale within the Waterberg District Municipality on 20 May.

Officials said the outreach programme seeks to ensure broader public participation from communities directly affected by land occupation, housing shortages and eviction-related disputes.

PIE Act Governs Evictions and Land Occupation

The proposed amendments relate to the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, 1998 (PIE Act), which regulates the legal process governing evictions in South Africa.

The PIE Act was introduced after the end of apartheid to ensure that evictions are conducted lawfully, fairly and in accordance with constitutional protections relating to dignity, housing rights and access to justice.

The legislation seeks to balance:

• The rights of landowners and property holders, and

• The rights and protections of unlawful occupiers.

Courts are generally required to consider factors such as vulnerability, alternative accommodation and fairness before granting eviction orders.

Proposed Amendments Aim to Update Legal Framework

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane published the proposed PIE Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette earlier this year.

Government says the amendments are intended to improve implementation of the Act, address practical challenges and strengthen legal clarity around eviction processes and unlawful occupation disputes.

While detailed provisions of the amendments are still under public discussion, officials say the Bill forms part of broader efforts to improve land governance, housing administration and dispute resolution mechanisms.

Public Participation Seen as Essential

The Department emphasised that public participation remains a critical part of the legislative process.

Officials encouraged residents, community organisations, legal experts, municipalities, landowners and civil society groups to participate actively in the consultations and submit comments on the Bill.

The department said the public information sessions are intended to:

• Improve awareness of the proposed legislation;

• Clarify legal implications;

• Gather community concerns and recommendations, and

• Strengthen transparency in the law-making process.

Written Comments Open Until June

Members of the public have until 16 June 2026 to submit written comments on the PIE Amendment Bill.

Submissions can be sent via email to:

PIE.AmendmentBill@dhs.gov.za

Government said all submissions received during the consultation process will be considered as part of the finalisation of the proposed legislation.

Land and Housing Issues Remain Sensitive National Challenge

Land occupation, informal settlements and eviction disputes remain among South Africa's most politically and socially sensitive issues.

Rapid urbanisation, housing shortages, poverty and unemployment have contributed to increasing pressure on land and housing resources across many municipalities.

Legal experts say the PIE Act has played an important role in protecting vulnerable occupiers from unlawful and arbitrary evictions while also recognising the rights of property owners.

However, implementation challenges, court delays and disputes over land invasions have continued to generate debate over the effectiveness of the current framework.

Government Seeking Balance Between Rights and Development

Officials say the proposed amendments seek to ensure that eviction processes remain constitutional, humane and legally consistent while also improving certainty for municipalities, property owners and communities.

The consultations are expected to contribute to broader discussions on:

• Housing rights;

• Urban land management

• Informal settlement upgrading;

• Municipal governance, and

• Social justice.

Observers say the outcome of the amendment process could have significant implications for housing policy, urban development and land governance in South Africa.