A farmer of Olievenhoutbosch in Pretoria can finally start with the process of evicting the people who illegally invaded his property in October 2022.

The Johannesburg High Court recently granted Hennie Henrico an order of eviction, and he and fellow farmers are now raising money to effect the order.

“Six farm owners and I who are affected by these land invaders are busy raising money which will help us with the evictions.

“We are delighted that members of the community are also chipping in by donating towards the fund,” he says.

The farmers say the total amount they needed to raise to enforce the order is R4.5m.

“We have received a quotation to see out the eviction.”

Henrico thanked community members who donated their hard-earned money to the fund.

Not an isolated case

Community member and land owner Lukas Olivier tells Pretoria Rekord that he was concerned about the regularity of land invasions in the area.

Olivier says it is unfortunate that some of the criminality occurred right under farm owners’ noses.

He adds that it was unfortunate that farmers could only do so much about the illegal land occupation, as he explains their only option was to reach out to the courts of law – a costly exercise.

Olivier stresses that these matters are being reported to the police, but that the police only has limited manpower at their disposal.

“Our Olievenhoutbosch Police Station is severely under-resourced and SAPS members are doing their best to serve a very large population. Between investigating high levels of crime and trying to deal with land grabs, police have too much on their plate.”

Team tackles the issue

There have been a lot of land grabs, especially privately owned land, in Olievenhoutbosch in the past few years.

Tshwane metro police spokesperson Isaac Mahamba says the metro has a dedicated team to mitigate land grabs in their area.

“We patrol and monitor hotspots that are known to us to prevent the occupation of land illegally.

“Notices are also served to invaders and if they fail to abide, we engage service providers that are appointed by the City to demolish the temporary structures the invaders erect.”

He says when removing the structures, police would be on-site to ensure the safety of all concerned.

Occupiers vow to stay

Land occupier Banele Mgujulwa says they would continue to stay on the farm as they couldn’t find an affordable place to live.

“Things are terribly expensive and the cost of living is too high, while on the other hand, the level of unemployment is also high.

“I can’t even afford to buy a small braai pack, where will I get money for rent?” asks Mgujulwa.

Asked if he knew of the eviction order, he says the order didn’t shake them as the community would fight anyone who sought to remove them from ‘their property’.

The order seen by Pretoria Rekord states that all illegal invaders must vacate Henrico’s property within 24 hours of the order being granted and that all structures erected by invaders be demolished by the owner.

“The first respondent and all those occupying the properties by, through or under them, are ordered and directed to vacate the properties within 24 hours of this order, alternatively on such a date as this honourable court may deem appropriate,” the judgement reads.