Durban: The Department of Human Settlements will from Wednesday, 13 May 2026, begin public information sessions in KwaZulu-Natal on the proposed Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land (PIE) Amendment Bill. The sessions follow the recent release of the draft legislation for public comment by Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane.

According to South African Government News Agency, Wednesday's session will be held at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall in the Umsunduzi Local Municipality, and Friday's session will take place at the Chesterville Community Hall in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. The Bill aims to repeal the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act of 1998 (PIE Act), which was originally enacted to prevent arbitrary evictions and address historical injustices where people were removed from land without due process.

The department states that the proposed amendment to the Act seeks to address issues related to land invasions and informal settlements, provide adequate housing to mitigate against illegal occupation of private properties, refine court processes and enforcement of court orders, and ensure the protection of vulnerable groups. Public consultations are already underway, with the first session having been held in the City of Tshwane on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.

'On Saturday, it will be exactly 30 days since the Minister of Human Settlements released the PIE Amendment Bill for public comments. Over and above public information sessions, South Africans are encouraged to send their submissions through emails to [email protected],' the department said in a statement. Further consultation sessions in Gauteng are scheduled to take place in the Cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni on 21 and 22 May 2026.