Illegal dwellers determined to stay
The SAPS, led by the Sheriff of the Court, raided the shack land on August 15 and evicted about 100 families - whom they claimed were trespassers.
BARBERTON – Residents of Kosovo Village who occupied a piece of Umjindi Municipality’s land illegally in Emjindini, started rebuilding their shacks just hours after these structures had been demolished.
The SAPS, led by the Sheriff of the Court, raided the shack land on August 15 and evicted about 100 families – whom they claimed were trespassers.
The operation led to violent protests as the residents blockaded the R40 from Barberton to Nelspruit with stones and set alight some of the demolished material.
“We will not leave this land. It is ours, not because we are greedy, but because everyone needs land and housing to provide a permanent home for families,” said Speedy Maseko.
“If they arrest us, beat us, or demolish our shacks again, we will return to the land and rebuild,” he added.
The village, which has never been officially recognised by the council authorities despite the residents’ longstanding claim to the area, has been demolished more than twice in the past year. Every time, residents have tried to rebuild their homes, constructing makeshift shelters in the same place.
“We have the right to remain here; our struggle has continued for a year and we will persevere. We will continue to rebuild and demonstrate to defend our right to live here,” added Maseko.
Snopo Gwebu, community leader of Kosovo said people must not be afraid to continue to rebuild their shacks. “Our leaders have failed to address us. They keep on saying they have bought farms for us to live on but we don’t know where they are. Not a single councillor has to come to show us,” said Gwebu.
He said on September 4 they would have a public hearing with the Public Protector and the municipal manager, Pat Msibi, the mayor Lazaros Mashaba, speaker Vusi Mkhatshwa and members of mayoral committee to address the issue.
“The council has failed to consult properly with local residents regarding the issue of stand allocations. As residents, we would have assumed that the consultation process would have been more open. This is not what we have experienced,” said Gwebu.
Sam Jele, Umjindi spokesman, said that at the moment they had no official comment regarding the Kosovo issue.
