Public Works launches court action to evict former MK Party MPs from Parliamentary Village

Three former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Members of Parliament are facing a court-led eviction attempt by the Department of Public Works after refusing to vacate a parliamentary village in Cape Town.

The trio has remained in the subsidised housing since August 2024, despite being removed as MPs by their party before they could even begin their official duties.

Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson confirmed that since the individuals failed to heed eviction letters from the State Attorney, he has now authorised formal court action.

Parliamentarians are offered the option of living in one of three subsidised villages in the city to facilitate their regular attendance in Parliament.

However, these three former members have now resided in the accommodation longer than they ever served as MPs.

The situation stems from an internal battle within the MK Party in August 2024. The party moved to remove 18 MPs who allegedly defied orders regarding their swearing-in after the elections.

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The party claimed their memberships were either in question or that they lacked the necessary skills for the positions.

Macpherson clarified that he will not be drawn into the internal politics of the party, focusing instead on the illegal occupation of state property.

"As a country which respects the rule of law, we can never allow certain individuals to be above it and unlawfully occupy state property that has an intended public benefit," Minister Macpherson said.

He noted that the department has taken a decisive stance on public property protection over the last 21 months, citing similar eviction cases at Wingfield in Cape Town and on agricultural land near East London.

"We will apply this principle equally to former members of parliament occupying buildings intended for use by current MPs and sessional officials," he added.

While formal eviction proceedings are set to begin following months of defiance, Macpherson noted he remains open to mediation as a final offer of reprieve to ensure the trio’s successful relocation.