Owner of invaded Centurion farm loses R1m in crop, property damage

An Olievenhoutbosch farmer lost an estimated R1-million in property damage and crop due to the illegal land invasions that took place in the past week.

“When we sent someone to go and inspect the farmhouse, we found it stripped of electric equipment fittings, plugs, lights, and the boards. The doors have been removed and some of the roof sheets have been removed,” Hennie Henrico said.

He revealed that the illegal invaders tried to extort money from him, telling him he should pay a certain amount of money to stop more people from occupying the land.

“Last week I received a call from a guy named Rasta. He is staying in one of the shacks on my property.

“Rasta is asking for money to prevent people from occupying the house on the farm.”

“He wanted R60 000 and when I said I didn’t have it, he then wanted R20 000 and to bring R30 000 later,” Henrico said.

He said he hadn’t given him anything to date, as he was still contemplating whether to open a case or not.

Henrico said he once opened a case of extortion at Olievenhoutbosch.

“We have opened a case before and nothing happened, so I am not sure if it’s worth opening a case again.”

Furthermore, he said he had opened multiple cases at the police station before and nothing had happened, adding that he once called Colonel Corbett to complain to no avail.

“I opened a case on September 24, and to my surprise, on September 30, the case was closed. I was told there were no leads and the case was investigated, so it had to be closed,” he added.

Attempts to get comment from the police were unsuccessful.

ALSO READ: Tshwane metro to continue fight against ‘shack farming’ and land invasions

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