EVANDER – Land dispute continues at eNkomeni Village as some people are allegedly selling stands without the approval of the Sakhisizwe Communal Property Association (SCPA) beneficiaries.
The more than 342 hectares of land belong to 48 beneficiaries who applied for this land in 1998 and acquired the title deed in 2002.
Mr Mbulelo Vilakazi, chairman of the SCPA, said the situation in the area is tense and he has been receiving death threats.
This came after people began marking stands on the land, which belongs to Pan African Recourses, a week ago and the mine evicted the people on Wednesday, 3 October.
The land invaders alleged they bought the land. They allegedly attacked Mr Vilakazi and accused him of plotting with the mine.
He said these allegations are untrue and that he has nothing to do with the mine, he is only the chairman of the SCPA.
“My life is in danger because people are spreading rumours about me.
“What is happening there is not right. I encourage people to stop buying stands in that area.
“The portion of land belongs to the SCPA and the other portion belongs to the mine.
“I have opened a case against those who are threating me.”
In August, the SCPA warned people not to buy land in the area and a case of land invasion was opened at Evander Police Station.
The villagers said they do not have the guts to confront those who are allegedly implicated in the selling of the stands, because they fear for their lives.
More than a hundred stands have been allegedly sold in the area.
“It is sad that people are not listening but continue to buy these stands.
“We opened a case but no action has been taken yet.
“Police told us that they are busy with the investigation.”
At the time of going to the press, the police had not commented.
