Regular patrols by police and private security have kept a group of people believed to be land grabbers away from a piece of land on Plaston Street, Faerie Glen.
Last August scuffles broke out between residents and some of the men who were believed to be illegally erecting a building on the property.
The men claimed the land belonged to them, but could not prove it.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: VIDEO: Grabbed land earmarked for development in Faerie Glen
They said the land was originally that of their “forefathers who were forcefully removed more than 70 years ago”.
They were chased away by police but insisted they would get what was “rightfully” theirs.
Ward councillor Ernst Botha said the men had not returned since an eviction order was obtained against them.
“The area is still highly guarded and patrolled by the police and security companies,” he said.
ALSO READ: VIDEO: East residents foil ‘land grabbers’
“If they do return, they will be arrested.”
Botha said a plan was underway for residents to “adopt the spot” and turn it into a little park for people to sit in.
He said residents planned to team up with the metro to ensure that the land was well kept and cleaned at all times.
“The process is still underway. Once it is done residents will formally take care of the property,” he said.
A Mamelodi man believed to have been one of the alleged land-grabbers previously told Rekord that they were not in possession of a title deed because the land claim processes were “taking forever”.
“Which is what led to the taking back of the land,” Mpho Dlamini said.
“The claim was made as far back as 1996 and the land was gazetted and published in 2015.”
Dlamini said the group would explore all avenues “to ensure that justice prevailed”.
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