Gillitts land invasion foiled

ANOTHER illegal land invasion was attempted on the Stockville Valley property in Gillitts on Sunday, 18 May.

This incident follows a previous attempted invasion on Sunday, 11 May.

The group of approximately 20 people rallied on the property at approximately 10am, and began building an informal structure on the privately owned land, but their efforts were later thwarted by the Land Invasion Unit.

According to Rick Crouch, Ward 10 councillor, the Land Invasion Unit was delayed for two hours, as a simultaneous land invasion was taking place in Motala Heights. Despite being delayed the unit dispersed the crowd and demolished the structure that the invaders were busy constructing.

“I suspect that the invaders will return, as I have heard a rumour from a reliable source that a meeting was held at the Stockville informal settlement, encouraging people to come and stake their claim. The people were also advised to attempt the invasion on Sundays, as they will allegedly receive support from the residents of the Stockville settlement. The truth, however, is that the residents do not support the invaders, as they do not want more people coming onto the land,” said Crouch.

Sections of the land has been classified as D’MOSS areas by municipality, as they are environmentally sensitive areas and development has been prohibited. Also, it has been reported that the area is very steep and therefore it would cost the municipality R85 000 to build one RDP house on the property.

“Development on this property is simply not financially feasible,” said Crouch.

Contact the Land Invasion Unit at the 24 hour control room on 031 311 4699/ 4701 / 4702 or contact the manager on 031 3114022 (office hours only).