UPDATE: Etete and Tinley Manor land grabs, fuelled by ‘faceless’ committee

Land invaders who stormed Etete and Tinley Manor over the weekend – cordoning privately owned plots for themselves – are believed to have been led by an illegally formed committee.

This was revealed during a meeting today (Wednesday) between KwaDukuza municipality, local traditional leaders and affected landowners.

The gathering held in Stanger, was to find a resolution after hundreds of people marked off privately owned land in Etete and just outside the elite Palm Lakes Estate, owned by Royal Palm Property Holdings.

They claimed to have bought the plots for between R50 and R2000 from the local chief.

KwaDukuza council speaker Phumlile Zulu told the Courier the invaders were mostly ‘outsiders’ with selfish interests.

Also read: KwaDukuza mayor vows to prosecute land invaders

She denied that traditional leaders had sold the plots and said the problem was stirred by an illegal, faceless committee who misled the public.

 “We do not know who these people are but they are not the traditional leaders.

“Furthermore, people from areas like Eshowe, Richards Bay and Durban were all there claiming land.

“This invasion was not to serve the interests of our local people.”

Zulu said three resolutions were taken: 

“Firstly, local traditional leaders distance themselves from the invasion. There were claims that they sold the land to people but this is untrue and there is no proof.

“Secondly traditional leaders communicated that they have lodged a formal claim to land from Stanger to Ballito. However, they are willing to work with landowners on a way forward.

“Lastly, we resolved to hold community meetings in the affected wards to communicate that this invasion is not part of our policy and that it is illegal.”

WATCH: Drone footage of the Tinley Manor land grabs

Addressing rumours that the invaders plan to close the roads in parts of Stanger, Etete and Tinley Manor tomorrow (Thursday), Zulu said KDM was working closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation.

Royal Palm Property Holding SOO Olivia Roels-Sak said she felt the meeting was fruitful.

“We understand where people are coming from and we must work together on a way forward. This was the first of many meetings and it was a positive one.”

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