There were howls of protest when the eThekwini Municipality resolved that it would compel landowners to allow the city to provide toilets and water to squatters who invade plots of land.
The decision on who will ultimately foot the bill has not been finalised, although each case will be decided on individually.
It was one of the smallest, yet controversial items on the agenda on Thursday at the last full council meeting in 2008.
The recommendation was pushed through with the support of all political parties besides the DA.
Tabled as a “response to the lack of sanitation facilities in informal settlements located on private land”, the adoption of the item has paved the way for Water and Sanitation head Neil Macleod to serve notice on “errant” landowners who do not comply with the council resolution.
