MEC for local government Qedani Mahlangu said her department would, in consultation with municipalities, draft a land invasion policy that would give law enforcement agencies more teeth to deal with land invasions .

Mahlangu said the aim was to give the metropolitan police and the South African Police Service the power to evict squatters within 48 hours of them illegally occupying land. Municipalities would be expected to enforce the law strictly .

Local government is also conducting a land audit to determine how much land is available to accommodate landless people.

Housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane said her department would also take harsh action against shack farmers owners of smallholdings who allowed squatters to erect shacks on their land .

Gauteng social development MEC Bob Mabaso said the province would create a "single window" social welfare system where beneficiaries of social grants would automatically qualify for free basic municipal services and exemption from school fees and paying for health services.