Olievenhoutbosch farmer can evict illegal occupiers of his land
Land occupier Banele Mgujulwa said they would continue to stay on the farm as they couldn’t find an affordable place to live.
An Olievenhoutbosch farmer can evict the people who invaded his property late last year.
The Johannesburg high court recently granted Hennie Henrico an order of eviction, and he told Rekord that he and fellow farmers were raising money to effect the order.
“I and other six farm owners who are affected by these land invaders are busy raising money which will help us with the evictions.
“We are delighted that members of the community are also chipping in by donating towards the fund,” he said.
The farmers said the total amount of money they needed to raise to enforce the order was R4.5-million.
“We have received a quotation to see out the eviction.”
He thanked community members who donated their hard-earned money to the fund.
Community member and land owner Lukas Olivier told Rekord that he was concerned about the regularity of land invasions in the area.
Olivier said it was unfortunate that some of the criminality occurred right under farm owners’ noses.
He added that it was unfortunate that farmers could only do so much to the illegal land occupation.
He stressed that their only option was to reach out to the courts of law, which remained a costly exercise.
Olivier stressed that these matters were being reported to the police, however, the police also had limited manpower at their disposal.
“Our Olievenhoutbosch police station is severely under-resourced and SAPS members are doing their best to serve a very large population. Between investigating high levels of crime and trying to deal with land grabs, police have too much on their plate.”
Land occupier Banele Mgujulwa said they would continue to stay on the farm as they couldn’t find an affordable place to live.
“Things are terribly expensive and the cost of living is too high, on the other hand, the level of unemployment is too high.
“I can’t even afford to buy a small braai pack, where will I get money for rent?” said Mgujulwa.
Asked if he knew of the eviction order, he said the order didn’t shake them as the community would fight anyone who sought to remove them from “their property”.
The order seen by Rekord states that all illegal invaders must vacate Henrico’s property within 24 hours of the order being granted and that all structures erected by invaders be demolished by the owner.
“The first respondent and all those occupying the properties by, through or under them, are ordered and directed to vacate the properties within 24 hours of this order, alternatively on such a date as this Honourable court may deem appropriate,” the judgement reads.
There have been a lot of land grabs, especially privately owned land, in Olievenhoutbosch in the past few years.
Tshwane metro police (TMPD) spokesperson Isaac Mahamba told Rekord that the metro had a dedicated team to mitigate land grabs in the metro.
“We patrol and monitor hotspots that are known to us to prevent the occupation of land illegally.
“Notices are also served to invaders and if they fail to abide, we engage service providers that are appointed by the City to demolish the temporary structures the invaders erect.”
He said when removing the structures, police would be on-site to ensure the safety of all concerned.
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