Tshwane cracks down on illegal stand sales in Hammanskraal

The City of Tshwane has threatened to forcibly remove individuals who illegally purchased stands in Stinkwater Extension 10 in Hammanskraal, which were originally allocated to poor families relocated from waterlogged land. 

This comes after the city last month launched an investigation into allegations of illicit sales of service stands in Zithobeni Heights, intended for beneficiaries in need. 

The city's group audit and risk division has been tasked with determining the full extent of these unlawful activities.

The city has urged members of the public with information on the illegal sale of stands or other corrupt activities to report such malfeasance to the nearest SAPS station or the city’s fraud hotline.

Aaron Maluleka, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Housing and Human Settlements, strongly condemned the illegal sale of stands in Stinkwater.

According to him, some beneficiaries who were initially allocated stands as part of a relocation project for poor families are allegedly selling them for amounts ranging from R1,800 to R10,000.

He said: “Since July 30, 2025, over 340 of the 849 residents have been relocated from waterlocked land in wards 13 and 95 in Six Bridge, Marikana Informal Settlement and identified stands in Thambo One and Stinkwater. A total of 849 residents are expected to be relocated to Stinkwater Extension10,” he said.

He said the city plans to conduct a thorough audit of all stands in Stinkwater to verify whether they are occupied by the registered beneficiaries who were initially allocated the stands as part of a relocation project.

He urged residents to refrain from selling their stands and use the right platforms to register their grievances.

"Those who are not interested in moving to the new stands are encouraged to sign indemnity forms confirming their resistance. Once they move to the old stands, the city will not be held liable for any challenges that arise, including the lack of provision of services. Those who are found to have taken part in the illegal sale of stands will be removed and the stand will be allocated to qualifying beneficiaries,” Maluleka said.

He said residents will be allocated rudimentary services, which include mobile toilets and water, while the city works towards formalising the settlement.

“We are urging residents to exercise patience throughout the relocation process and not take the law into their own hands,” he said.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za