The Merafong City Local Municipality has stepped in to stop a group of frustrated young people from occupying municipal land in Khutsong South.

According to recent reports, the group had begun staking out more than 300 stands on an overgrown municipal sports field in the area, with plans to erect informal housing. The move was led by local youth leader Vusi Cele, who said the action followed years of frustration due to the lack of development and affordable housing for young people in the area.

The young residents had already marked out plots and were preparing to build shacks when the municipality intervened. On June 30, the Merafong City Local Municipality issued a formal notice prohibiting any form of land invasion or illegal occupation on the property.

Municipal Manager Dumisani Mabuza stated that all land invasions and unlawful land occupations are criminal offences under the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (1998). The municipality also urged residents to help combat illegal land grabs by reporting any such activities to the municipal call centre at 018 788 9990, via WhatsApp at 082 516 0794, or by email at [email protected].

Further action was taken on July 1, when the group received a draft court order officially prohibiting the continued occupation of the land.

Despite the legal warning, Cele expressed the group’s continued concern over housing shortages, emphasizing that young people in Khutsong South are desperate for solutions and development opportunities.