Keely Goodall2 July 2025 | 9:57

City of Tshwane clamps down on illegal homes and townships

The City of Tshwane is aiming to address the issue of homes that have been built illegally.

City of Tshwane clamps down on illegal homes and townships

Jacaranda trees in the City of Tshwane. Picture: South African Tourism/Flickr

The City of Tshwane reportedly has around 17 illegal townships with thousands of homes.

These are homes that were built illegally on land that was not zoned for housing, has no environmental clearance, and no basic services like water or electricity.

Maluleka says these illegal townships are damaging the environment and putting strain on water and electricity resources.

“We need to investigate each of these illegal townships.”
- Aaron Maluleka, Human Settlements - City of Tshwane
“The intention is not necessarily to allow lawlessness by regularising them, but it is to look at how we can have a development agreement with them so we can get them going in terms of compliance.”
- Aaron Maluleka, Human Settlements - City of Tshwane

At this stage, Maluleka says the City does not intend to demolish homes as long as they are made compliant.

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