Illegal land grab near Seshego sparks controversy
Private land near Seshego illegally occupied as land grabbers claim Expropriation Bill rights; municipality deems actions unlawful.
POLOKWANE – A private landowner along the Matlala Road near Seshego faces a mounting crisis as land grabbers have illegally occupied the property, establishing an informal settlement over the past two weeks.
Claiming justification from the recently signed Expropriation Bill, the occupiers argue that the legislation allows for private land to be appropriated for public use under government supervision.
The Polokwane Municipality has, however, declared these actions illegal.
The Expropriation Bill, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, outlines conditions where private land can be taken for public interest, sometimes without compensation.
Despite these claims, no agreements have been reached between the occupiers and the rightful landowner, and the municipality has firmly denied granting permission for such occupations.
The land in question includes Vergunning 677 LS, Middelpunt 676 LS, and Portion 1 of Morgenzon 690 LS, located between extension 76 and the Bloedrivier Bridge.
On Tuesday, the municipality reiterated that these properties are privately owned, and dismissing claims of authorisation as “false and misleading”.
Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala stated that the owners have been informed of the situation and are taking legal steps, though he did not provide further details.
Selala said that illegal occupations, whether on private or municipal land, will not be tolerated. If such activities extend onto municipal land, the municipality will enforce by-laws, demolish illegal structures, and take legal action, he said.
He warned that those erecting structures illegally face financial losses and severe legal consequences.
Despite these warnings, the land grabbers insist that their actions are driven by necessity, as they cite overcrowded family homes and the high cost of renting as driving factors.
They claim that occupying the land is in the public interest and hope that once settled, authorities will formalise their presence and issue permits.
Meanwhile, subsistence farmers, who have been using parts of the land without permission for years, have expressed their grievances.
They argue that the grabbers’ construction activities are damaging their crop and threatening their agricultural livelihoods.
The municipality, however, clarified that these farmers are also considered illegal occupiers, as they lack the necessary documentation or agreements to use the land for farming.
The municipality has taken a firm stance that lawlessness will not be tolerated, and those erecting structures or occupying land illegally will face the full force of the law.
