Three arrested following a land dispute in Dobsonville Extension 3
The residents vowed that they would not give up the land and plan to mobilise senior citizens from the area not to vote for the ruling party in the coming general elections.
Dobsonville Extension Three was the scene of a heated land dispute with local residents and a new land developer locking horns over disputed land in the area.
According to local farmers who were working the land on February 5 at 10 am, police arrived and beat them, ordering them off the land.
Bongani Vilakazi, one of the farmers said, “After the altercation between police and the farmers, three residents were arrested and released later on the same day.”
“One resident was released the following day after appearing before the Roodepoort Magistrate court.”
Vilakazi continued, “We were shocked when the land developer and his workers were escorted by police to the land in dispute at number 10638 in Nikelani Street.”
“We continued with our daily routine and police beat us and kicked us off the land.”
According to Vilakazi, the land in question belonged to the community since 2004 but was illegally sold by local ward councillors.
“We want to find out who the new landowner bought the land from because we are still in possession of valid documentation for this land,” he said.
The residents vowed that they would not give up the land and Vilakazi said they would mobilise senior citizens from the area not to vote for the ruling party in the coming general elections.
Another aspirant farmer, Sinenhlanhla Khoza (67) said that was concerned that her grandchildren would starve to death because they depended on the food from their farm for survival. She said, “Police should have investigated who the rightful owner of the land was before their violent reaction towards us.
“We have already opened a case against the police and we have footage and video evidence to back our claims.
“We will not rest until justice is done and the perpetrators of violence against us appear before the court,” said Khoza.
According to Dobsonville police spokesperson constable Mzwakhe Xazi, there are no persons under arrested and anyone who feels that their rights were violated, should lodge a formal complaint at the Dobsonville Police Station.
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