Political parties have welcomed Public Works & Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson’s authorisation for formal eviction proceedings against three former MKP MPs for unlawfully occupying Parliamentary Village properties in Cape Town, asserting that state property should not be abused.

The MPs were removed from Parliament in August 2024.

The Cape Argus reports Macpherson said yesterday that no one is above the law when it comes to unlawfully occupying state property intended for the public good. He added that the department cannot be drawn into a legal dispute between a political party and those they choose to terminate.

After being served with notices by the State Attorney to vacate by last Friday and failing to do so, the department announced that it will now proceed with formal court proceedings to have them removed.

Macpherson said that after months of delays by the former MPs and unsuccessful efforts to resolve their vacating of the properties, they are proceeding with the formal eviction procedures.

Macpherson added that the department will continue to collaborate with all law enforcement agencies and remain open to mediation with the former MPs to ensure a peaceful relocation.

Mbulelo Mandlana, spokesperson for the SACP, said the law must take its course: ‘If a case can be made to prove these claims, the law ought to take its course. However, these actions must be undertaken consistently and across the board and must not be employed selectively as a tool for political purposes.’

Full Cape Argus report