Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has questioned the Human Rights Commission’s support of land occupation, calling it reckless to encourage people to settle wherever they find unoccupied land.

The Minister is in consultation with the Western Cape government to convince it to declare the Taiwan and Masiphumelele informal settlements disaster areas so that rebuilding can be fast-tracked.

Last month, Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato had written to the provincial legislature to declare the latter a disaster area. Thousands of people have been left homeless following these fires that occurred within two weeks of each other.

Video: Nkosikhona Swaartbooi