‘We will not move’ – illegal occupants
SEVERAL shacks have been erected illegally on an open land at Ext 40 along the Matlala road, and the occupants have vowed not to move.
POLOKWANE – SEVERAL shacks have been erected illegally on an open land at Ext 40 along the Matlala road, and the occupants have vowed not to move.
Most of these occupants are said to be from Disteneng, and they claim the land was promised to them by the Polokwane Municipality some years ago.
One of the occupants, Bethuel Phaswane, said they had waited for for the municipality to offer them this land officially, but as there was no action forthcoming from the municipality, they decided to act on their own.
“The municipality has ignored us for too long and we took the decision to offer ourselves the land. More shacks are still going to be erected and there is no one who will demolish them. We are tired of the empty promises from the municipality.”
When CV visited the site on Friday, some occupants were busy chopping down trees, while others cleared the bushes.
Another occupant, Alfred Mogale, said he had waited too long to own a stand and he was now happy that his family would have their own home.
“I cannot afford to rent a house with the money I make from my odd jobs. The ANC-led government promised us houses and more jobs a long time ago, but nothing has happened so far,” said Mogale.
Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said the municipality was aware of the unauthorised land occupation along the Matlala road.
“Stakeholder engagements and consultations are underway towards an amicable solution to the issue. The municipality will issue a statement as soon as all the immediate legal and relevant land use related processes are satisfied,” Chuene said.
