Public Works dept postpones eviction of Khoisan King from Union Buildings after tragedy
King Khoisan SA and Queen Khoisan SA were returning to Pretoria from Port Elizabeth when the vehicle they were travelling in along with five others had suffered a blown tyre and the queen died.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has postponed the eviction of the Khoisan king and his members at the Union Buildings in Pretoria after tragedy struck the protester on January 10.
Spokesperson Lennox Mabaso confirmed that the fifth eviction order from Pretoria High Court was issued on December 11, 2024.
“Thirty days were given to vacate the premises. The department respects the court’s decision. We extend our condolences to the family,” Mabaso said.
Saturday, January 11 was meant to be the final day the Khoisan were permitted to remain at the Union Buildings.
The department says that a three-week postponement of the execution of the order has been set in place out of compassion for the mourning community.
The postponment arrives at the back of the Khoisan community recently being struck with tragedy after a motor vehicle accident claimed the life of the Khoisan Queen, who was part of the members in protest at the Union Buildings.
The accident occurred on January 10, on the N9 between Colesberg and Noupoort.
The couple were returning to Pretoria from Port Elizabeth when the vehicle they were travelling in along with five others had suffered a blown tyre according to Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam.
“The vehicle, with five occupants aged 18-57, overturned due to a suspected tyre burst, causing the death of a 54-year-old female. King Khoisan SA is recovering well, and the others have been discharged. We urge all road users to follow safety rules and check their vehicles before travelling,” Sam said.
Queen Khoisan SA, Cynthia Triagaardt (54), who was married to King Khoisan SA, was killed as a result of the accident while the king was admitted to hospital with serious injuries.
The incident happened as the fifth eviction order was granted last week against King Khoisan SA and 19 others who have been camping in a makeshift village at the Union Buildings since 2018.
According to Sam, King Khoisan SA was recuperating well at Manne Dipico Hospital, while the rest of the occupants were discharged from hospital.
Noupoort police are investigating a culpable homicide case following the single-vehicle accident.
The Khoisan King had spoken to Rekord on the Friday before his anticipated arrival in Pretoria by 18:00 in order to fight off the eviction process.
“I will only be arriving at Union Building 17:00-18:00. I am travelling from Port Elizabeth [Gqeberha]. Our stance is clear, we will not vacate the Union Buildings,” said King Khoisan SA in response to the eviction notice.
The group that has been camping in the garden at the Union Buildings since December 5, 2018 said they remain determined in their quest for First Nation recognition and land rights.
The protesters left Eastern Cape on November 17, 2018, and arrived at the Union Buildings on December 5, 2018.
Khoisan said they claimed three provinces as their land – the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape, though they believe they are entitled to the whole country.
The Khoisan demands include:
– First nation recognition
– Khoisan language be made part of the official languages
– Engagement with the government over land
– Coloured identity to be scrapped.
The Khoisan people have been the subject of much controversy over the years:
– in 2019 they rejected the Traditional and Khoisan Leadership Act
– in 2022, the king and three of his subjects were arrested for alleged growing of and dealing in dagga
– in October 2022, the group walked 50km to raise awareness over a lack of housing
– on March 13, 2023, the group received its fourth notice to vacate the space in 30 days.
Since the accident, messages of condolences have poured out for the dead queen and the grief the Khoisan community is currently grappling with.
“We are very saddened to learn of the passing of Queen Khoisan SA. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of King Khoisan SA. May God give you the comfort and peace that you seek during this difficult time and may the soul of your loved one rest in peace. We also wish King Khoisan SA a speedy recovery from his injuries,” the Pan South African Language Board posted on its social media.
“Queen Khoisan SA was a symbol of strength, dignity and unwavering preservation and advancement of Khoi and San heritage and rights. Her passing is an irreplaceable loss to the county. We extend our condolences to King Khoisan SA, their family, the Khoi and San nation and all South Africans mourning this devasting loss,” the MK Party said in a released statement.
Khoisan King spokesperson, Simon Witman says the king is currently recovering and the group intends to compile a statement detailing the current state of the community in due course.
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