Ruimsig, Mogale City — Residents and small-business owners on the edge of the Pikoko informal settlement in Ruimsig say the community has expanded onto privately owned land and that repeated attempts to resolve the problem have yielded little or no action from municipal or provincial authorities.
What residents and businesses are reporting
During a recent inspection the Democratic Alliance recorded what it describes as a marked growth of the settlement since earlier this year. Photos supplied to the party show new makeshift structures erected on land bordering the Jim & Jerry’s Driving Range and other private properties.
- Owners of the driving range say clientele have dropped because some people from the nearby settlement are allegedly using substances on the property.
- Private security teams report clearing illegal structures, only for them to be rebuilt shortly afterwards.
- The expansion has stretched into a swampy area, according to property owners who raised concerns about sanitation and environmental impact.
The DA says the land where the informal settlement sits is owned by the City of Johannesburg but falls within the jurisdiction of Mogale City, complicating who is responsible for intervention. The party has announced plans to write to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS), Mogale City and the City of Johannesburg seeking explanations for the lack of a sustained response.
Official responsibilities and the governance tangle
Municipal boundaries that do not match land ownership can create operational gaps. In this case, the parcel is owned by one metro while being administratively located in another municipality. Residents and business owners told the DA they have raised complaints but say no meaningful enforcement or assistance has followed.
| Stakeholder | Role / Concern |
|---|---|
| Residents of Pikoko informal settlement | Seeking shelter; have erected structures on adjacent private land |
| Owners of Jim & Jerry’s Driving Range | Report loss of customers and substance use on property; private security removing structures |
| City of Johannesburg (landowner) | Legal owner of the land where occupation is taking place |
| Mogale City (municipal jurisdiction) | Local authority responsible for services and law enforcement in the area |
| Gauteng Department of Human Settlements | Provincial department that the DA says it will approach for intervention |
Impact on local people and businesses
Business owners say the encroachment has had tangible consequences: fewer customers, reports of substance use and the expense of employing private security to remove structures. Homeowners and other residents who border the settlement say they are anxious about safety, environmental health and property values.
Some residents have reportedly attempted to remove structures themselves, only for new shelters to reappear days later. This cycle has fuelled frustration, with the DA describing the situation as an affront to the rule of law and property rights.
What the DA plans to do
The Democratic Alliance has signalled it will formally request information and action from the GDHS, Mogale City and the City of Johannesburg. The party’s brief says it will press authorities to explain why the expansion has not been halted and what concrete steps will be taken to protect private property and public order.
At the time of publication there has been no public response from Mogale City, the City of Johannesburg or the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements provided to confirm received correspondence or to outline immediate remedial measures.
Practical context for neighbours
For residents living beside informal settlements, several practical concerns typically arise: waste removal, water and sanitation, and the security of neighbouring properties. Where settlements expand onto private land, owners may seek assistance from the local authority to enforce municipal by-laws or request mediation and support for relocation where applicable.
Stakeholders anxious about rising informal occupation are advised to document incidents (with dates and photographs), submit written complaints to both the municipal office and the landowner, and request written responses so there is a record if the matter proceeds to court or requires provincial intervention.
As this situation develops, residents and businesses in Ruimsig expect clarity on which level of government will take lead responsibility for restoring order and addressing both the humanitarian and legal dimensions of the occupation.
Reporting team: Local inspection and statements supplied by the Democratic Alliance; on-the-ground accounts from property owners in Ruimsig. Further comment was sought from Mogale City, the City of Johannesburg and GDHS but had not been received at time of publication.
