The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has intervened after dozens of families evicted from occupied land were left living alongside the N14 in Krugersdorp, raising serious road safety concerns.
An estimated 80 families were removed from the land they had been occupying. The residents claim the eviction was carried out without a court order.
Following the eviction, many of the displaced families relocated to the roadside near the N14, prompting intervention from the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.
MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said the department became involved because the situation posed a significant risk to both the displaced residents and road users.
"We've entered the issue because these individuals are sleeping along the roadside, which is not safe," Diale-Tlabela said.
"It's an issue of road safety, and while we were there, we've learned that there are more residents who are also affected."
Diale-Tlabela said the department has since engaged with the Mayor of Mogale City and the National Department of Human Settlements in an effort to find a solution for the displaced families.
She welcomed the agreement reached to relocate the residents to temporary accommodation.
"We are happy that they have agreed to move to a temporary shelter," she said.
The Department of Human Settlements is expected to meet with the affected residents later this week to discuss the next steps and longer-term housing arrangements.