Land invasion in Promosa sparks concerns
Concerns rise over illegal squatting near Promosa Cemetery in Potchefstroom as steel fences are stolen, leaving the area vulnerable.
The recent land invasion at the boundaries of the Promosa Cemetery has raised significant concerns about illegal squatting in the area. According to the J.B. Marks Local Municipality there are currently more than 22 informal settlements in the Potchefstroom region, and authorities are working to profile these communities as part of an intervention to establish better control and expand access to basic services.
Jeanette Tshite, the acting communications manager at J.B. Marks Local Municipality, provided clarity on the situation noting that the illegal occupation occurred after steel palisade fences were stolen over time, leaving the area vulnerable to encroachment. “Due to the theft of steel palisades over time, the land invasion actually occurred at the boundaries of Promosa Cemetery rather than inside the cemetery itself,” Tshite explained.
This land invasion, which is believed to involve undocumented immigrants, has raised serious concerns in the community, particularly regarding health and safety risks. Tshite emphasised that ward council members have a legal obligation to report any land invasion to the municipality immediately. “In their capacity as public representatives, ward council members are required to notify the municipality of any land invasion as soon as it occurs, ensuring that the proper legal actions are taken from the start.”
The municipality is actively profiling the affected communities to determine the scale of the invasion and identify possible solutions. Tshite confirmed that authorities are focused on finding ways to provide basic services to informal settlements where feasible, but added that the situation must be handled carefully to ensure all legal requirements are met.
