Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane on Thursday urged all South Africans to carefully study and review the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Amendment Bill ahead of the mid-June deadline.

The Bill was gazetted for comment in response to what government says is the rising number of unlawful land and building occupations across the country.

Simelane said this had placed “severe financial and administrative burdens” on government entities and private property owners, hindering orderly housing development.

The Amendment Bill aims to review and strengthen the current 1998 PIE Act, which Simelane said had often led to “inconsistent, lengthy and expensive” processes.

The 2026 Bill aims to make the law more “effective, clearer to interpret and simpler to enforce”, by empowering municipalities, State entities, and private landowners to respond more decisively to illegal occupations, while also ensuring that the rights of vulnerable individuals are protected.

Simelane said the Bill took a firm stance against individuals and organised syndicates who orchestrated land invasions, including those who incited people to unlawfully occupy land or sell land or property they do not own.

Proposed measures include hefty fines and the forfeiture of assets acquired through illegal land occupations.

To reduce court time, Simelane explained that the Bill introduced mandatory mediation processes where the municipality owned the land.

It also introduces mandatory joinder of relevant authorities, such as the provincial department of human settlements or municipality where an eviction order involves the provision of alternative accommodation.

The Bill also provides clearer guidelines for alternative or temporary accommodation.

Simelane emphasised that the 60-day comment period was a commitment to “transparency and inclusivity”, urging civil society organisations and ordinary community members to weigh in.

Following the public consultation, the revised Bill is expected to return to Cabinet by July. If approved, it is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament by late July or early August.

Simelane pointed out that to ensure comprehensive public engagement, her department would roll out public information sessions across the country.

The first of these engagements will take place on May 5, in Ekurhuleni, to allow communities the opportunity to engage directly with the process.