INFORMAL dwellers occupying Transnet land along the Fynnlands railway line, bordering Wards 66 and 32 on The Bluff, have been given 60 days to vacate the site following a Pietermaritzburg High Court order compelling eThekwini Municipality to arrange their relocation.

Also read: Merewent on alert after land invasion threat

The ruling gives the municipality 14 days to identify alternative accommodation for the affected residents before relocating them, marking a significant development in a long-running dispute over the expanding informal settlement.

This happened after a lawyer and The Bluff resident, Allison Schoeman, approached the court to force Transnet to remove the dwellers who were allegedly engaged in criminal activities.

“I am extremely encouraged by the high court’s decision and regard this order as a significant and positive step towards resolving a situation that has caused considerable concern and uncertainty within The Bluff community,” said Schoeman.

She said for the residents of Ward 66, this represents meaningful progress after a lengthy legal process.

“While we welcome the order, we recognise that the matter is not yet entirely concluded. The real measure of success will be the effective implementation of the court’s directives. Our objective has always been to achieve a lawful, fair and sustainable resolution that protects the rights and interests of the wider community while respecting the dignity and constitutional rights of all affected persons,” she said.

Also read: Land invasion on The Bluff: Residents pursue legal route

She said the residents of The Bluff deserve certainty, safety and stability and we will continue to pursue these objectives through the appropriate legal processes.

Ward 66 councillor Zoë Solomon said the invasion is on land belonging to Transnet which falls in Ward 32. In 2024, Solomon joined officials from Transnet to conduct a sight visit at the informal settlement to check the number of shacks along the Fynnlands railway line.

“The area borders with residents on The Bluff as well as the squatters using the roads to access their living area. Land invasion of any municipal land is immediately addressed when it is reported and we take down shelters all the time. We don’t have an invasion issue on The Bluff on municipal land,” said Solomon.

She said the court order is going to force Transnet through the municipality to relocate the profiled persons who invaded the Transnet land.

“The relocation plan aims to resolve Transnet’s concerns while addressing residents’ fears that property values along the railway line could be negatively affected,” she said.

She added that a total of 100 people were profiled and are to be relocated in accordance with the court order.

“The municipality will conduct its own profiling to establish the current number of occupants. Any additional informal structures beyond those covered by the original profiling will be demolished, as stipulated in the court order. The number of shacks has reportedly increased since the initial profiling was conducted by Transnet and Abahlali baseMjondolo,” Solomon added.

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