The Greater Giyani Municipality (GGM) is facing the mushrooming of illegal structures in the area around the town. Unregulated development has become a challenge for the municipality due to ongoing conflict between two traditional leaders who claim authority over the land. The land traditionally belonged to Ngove Traditional Authority, but that changed in 2015 when Hosi Siyandhani was recognised as a chief. However, the conflict between the two traditional authorities continues.

This lack of clear governance has allowed individuals to erect structures without proper authorisation along the R81 road and other areas within the town. This complicates efforts by the municipality, which is also involved in land planning and development in the area around the R81 and other areas within the municipality. This includes plans for business and residential developments in the area.

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When asked about the development along the R81 road, Knox Mchavi, the spokesperson for the Siyandhani Traditional Authority, acknowledged that most of the development in the area was carried out under their authorisation. “The demolished structure you saw there had our approval. The builder had to take it down because it was in the way of an Eskom powerline, so he needed to move it back a bit,” explained Mchavi, when asked whether the demolished stop-nonsense structure along the R81 road was part of an illegal occupation.

It appears that while development is forging ahead on the traditionally held land, the municipality is helpless as informal settlements hamper the urban expansion planned in the area. When asked about the status of site allocations around Giyani, GGM spokesperson Steve Mavunda admitted that the municipality is facing a land grab challenge, which is contributing to delays in service delivery and the allocation of sites within the municipality.

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“Most of the development along the R81 road leading to Malamulele is a result of ongoing conflict between traditional leaders with claims to the land in the area. We often encounter situations where, when we enquire about the legality of certain structures, we are told that permission was granted by one traditional leader or another.”

“As a municipality, this leaves us unsure of whom to verify ownership with, increasing land grabs in the area,” explained Mavunda, adding that another factor contributing to this situation was that during the Gazankulu era, sites were designated based on their intended use, leaving certain pockets of land within the town not proclaimed. “This has created opportunities for people to seize land illegally. However, as a municipality, we are more than willing to work with all traditional leaders to ensure the proper and orderly growth of our town,” he said.