After several years of community advocacy and political intervention by the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is taking the City of Tshwane to court to force the city to stop the illegal invasion and dumping at Glen Lauriston in Centurion.
The land belongs to GPG, and the illegal invaders are residing on the banks of the Hennops River, which has a severe environmental impact on the water system and air pollution. They also dump refuse inside the river, which exacerbates the problem.
Ensuring that the Hennops River system remains free from illegal dumping is of utmost importance for water quality, local air quality, and preventing soil contamination on provincial land.
The DA Gauteng has been fighting this issue since 2021. We have tabled numerous questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), petitioned GPG to act, and, finally, our plea was heard. GPG has taken the City of Tshwane to court to force them to act against this illegal land invasion. The court date has been set for 13 August 2025.
This case sets an important precedent for environmental protection advocacy in Gauteng, demonstrating that persistent community action combined with effective political leadership can achieve meaningful justice outcomes.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would prioritise securing provincial land to protect it from land invasion. We will ensure that the Green Scorpions deliver on their mandate to monitor our rivers and ensure they are free from pollution.