SACC STATEMENT ON THE BREDELL LAND INVASION RULING

The South African Council of Churches has followed with grave concern the developing situation of land invasion in Bredell, near Kempton Park, Gauteng. We have noted the recent court ruling on the matter, which ruled against the land invaders and ordered them to vacate the plot in 48 hours.

We are encouraged by the spirit in which the Minister of Land Affairs, Thoko Didiza has responded to the ruling, where she acknowledges that government still has to do more to address the situation of land hunger. We are pleased that the Minister did not use this opportunity to gloat over the victory, since indeed, there can never be any celebration as long as many of the poor have to be forcibly removed and plunged into uncertainties about where they will sleep. We urge all involved to be deliberate in working towards defusing the mounting tensions and restoring stability in the area.

We understand how much of a setback the ruling must be to the homeless who had hoped to secure a place to build their home. We also share the dilemma of the courts in having to rule against the homeless in the interest of upholding the rule of law. In the final analysis, greater justice has been served since the rule of law has prevailed.

We warn against those who would want to use this victory to suggest that the fundamental issue of the quest for land by millions of the poor is a non issue. We reiterate the views of many that this matter must receive urgent attention by all agencies responsible. We repeat our call for an urgent land forum involving the ministry of land affairs, all political parties, NGO's and relevant stakeholders.

In particular, we call on the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mr Bavumile Vilakazi and his Council to move swiftly in addressing the backlog in housing in their area. Priority need to be given to finding alternative place to resettle families who are to be evicted from Bredell. Clearly, the current situation calls for greater compassion in treating these families. These families are not criminals and should not be treated as such.

Clearly the courts were faced with a situation of making a difficult ruling for the rule of law and against the homeless people. In the final analysis, the law had to prevail in the service of greater justice. We welcome the decision.

We urge all parties involved in the dispute, especially the Pan Africanist Congress leadership and the African Rennaissance Civic Movement to accept the ruling however much it may have gone against their wishes. This is the time for all leaders to act in an exemplary manner and never to behave in a manner that undermines the rule of law. Any situation that leads to the collapse of the rule of law will plunge all of us into anarchy and terror. In the end, all of us will be losers.

For all of us as South Africans, the Bredell incident should serve as a reminder that we are far from overcoming our social backlogs. In the name of our new fund democracy, we must give priority to the needs of the poor, homeless and landless.

Released by Dr. Molefe Tsele
General Secretary: South African Council of Churches
Johannesburg