Some people had allegedly purchased stands for amounts ranging from R2 000 for smaller residential portions to R50 000 for double-sized stands and business areas.

Claiton Khosa, the municipality’s acting communications manager, condemned the illegal trade.

READ: Bushbuckridge Municipality mayor encourages women to lead in the fight against the pandemic

“The consistent selling of residential sites without the consent and approval of the municipality and the tribal authority responsible as per the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act is illegal and fraudulent. The municipality condemns the selling and demarcation of residential and business sites currently taking place outside Thulamahashe next to the old municipal dumping site,” he said.

READ: Meet the new CEO of Themba Hospital

He urged residents of the area not to purchase any sites from private agents purporting to represent the municipality or the tribal authority.

“If you had already made a purchase, you are advised to visit the local municipal office. The people conducting the sales and demarcation of sites are literally committing crime, as they do not have jurisdiction over the area.”

Khosa added that the municipality and the custodian of the area, Amashangana Tribal Authority, did not give any consent and approval for the selling and demarcation of sites for residential and business purposes to the area in question.

Khosa also urged locals to crosscheck with the municipality or the tribal authority on issues of jurisdiction over a particular piece of land, to prevent them from falling prey to such activities.