The delegation acknowledged that the department was dealing with a complex matter that required appropriate action in order to ensure that government as well as citizens were not compromised. The delegation condemned the illegal land invasion in the strongest terms. In relation to the ineffectiveness of the PIE Act, the delegation raised a question of the lack of commitment from government to implement the Act. Hence the national Department of Human Settlements or any provincial department had never come before the Portfolio Committee to indicate where challenges are in the implementation of this Act. No impact assessment or evaluation had been conducted so far by the department. The Committee observed that there was a lack of intergovernmental relations and cooperative governance as well as the provision of support mechanisms by the national and provincial governments to local government in order to prevent the illegal occupation or these invasions. The delegation raised a concern on the department's decision to stop the action plan which was in place because of a change in political leadership. The delegation said that it would be understood if the department indicated that the MEC instructed it to do so.