About 150 people who tried to illegally occupy houses at an Eerste River housing complex on Friday night were met by police who skopped them off the property.
Videos, which have gone viral, show police officers driving people out of the Forest Village housing complex.
A resident told the Daily Voice the land invaders started breaking through the fences just after 7pm.
The witness, who did not want to be named, said: “There were so many people in the road and they were breaking down fences, windows and doors, trying to move in.
“We stood inside all the time because we did not know how far these people would go and I think it was a good decision because the cops had to use force to get them out of here.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed the incident and says a case of malicious damage to property has been opened.
He says the invaders did not display any riotous behaviour and cops are keeping an eye on the situation.
“No arrests have been made as yet, while investigations continue.
“Our members are on the scene monitoring the situation at Forest Village while the people were not riotous.”
Human Settlements MEC Tertuis Simmers condemned the illegal invasion, saying 126 flats were targeted.
“It is alleged that a group of residents who were approximately 150-strong and from various areas such as Woodstock, Manenberg, Elsies River and Kalkfontein shared various messages on WhatsApp to encourage the invasion and occupation of these units,” the MEC explains.
“These attempts cannot be condoned, as it is counter-productive to ensuring that those who have been approved for a housing opportunity in this project, are unable to move in.
“In addition, it also causes unnecessary delays to the full completion of small work that still needs to be done to the units, and now with damage that would have to be repaired.”