MIDVAAL. – Tensions are on the rise at  Elandsfontein south of Johannesburg where there is currently a stand-off between land invaders and the rightful property owners in the area.

This follows after illegal occupants were removed and structures they put up were taken down recently following a court order in favour of the rightful land owners in the North Gauteng High Court.

Civil rights movement AfriForum earlier obtained the court order to assist landowners in the area.

Because the local police station is not equipped to deal with a situation of this magnitude the Johannesburg Metropolitan police, South African National Defence Force, Midvaal Local Municipality had to assist in taking down structures earlier.

But the invaders have now returned.

When Vaalweekblad visited the scene of the stand-off between land invaders and rightful property owners earlier on Saturday the police had yet to arrive on the scene.

It is alleged that protesters had petrol bombed a farm house earlier.

Clinton Gruar, a representative for landowners in the area has asked members of the public to assist the landowners as tensions escalated on Saturday.

People from both sides of the situation were seen flooding into the area as tensions escalated, some to assist the invaders and some to assist the rightful land owners.

This is a developing story.

Land grabbers who were evicted have returned to Elandsfontein and have threatened to put up hundreds of shacks in privately owned land. Photo: Christiaan Cloete