Land invasion flares up

The Joburg Metro and South African Police Services officers stopped attempted land invasions in the Frankenwald area, next to Marlboro and Ext 7 after several skirmishes with invaders, said to be from Alexandra.

Early in the morning of 2 July about 100 people allegedly tried to invade the land said to belong to Wits University, and whose ownership is being challenged. It is apparently being eyed as one for potential housing development.

Read: How to survive a home invasion

Police are said to have fired rubber bullets to stop the invaders who had blocked the roads leading into and out of Ext 7 with stones and debris, in the process also disrupting access to the Marlboro, Gautrain Station.

The DA’s proportional representative councillor Shadrack Mkhonto said several invaders were injured with one being critical. The group finally dispersed in the afternoon with some police remaining onsite.

Mkhonto said the incident was seemingly instigated by a Landless People of Alex Assembly meeting held on 29 June at San Kopano Community Centre where the invasion under #Allocation@WITS land, OccupyWITSland and #OccupyAzania was planned. The organisers of the meeting couldn’t be reached on the contact details provided in the assembly notice meeting.

Mkhonto said the invaders’ actions were lawless, and shouldn’t be condoned. He suggested a political motive was behind the invasion, claiming that this had been happening since the new administration of the city took over after last year’s the local government elections.

Read: City warns illegal dumpers

He urged councillors from all parties and community leaders to act collectively on the issues of land which will continue to be a pressing need, regardless of the administration in power. “The invasions were there in the previous administration but not to the extent that they are currently. Council has instituted an investigation into the matter to uncover the motives while seeking a long-term solution to the housing need,” he said.

Mkhonto also said the invaders had seemingly been advised to use bricks where they are able to, to construct their houses. “This is disingenuous by the those who advise them, as the areas in question will not have been serviced. It may be costly to them and, besides, it will be an unlawful act.”

He said the police action in stopping the invasion was a sign that bylaw implementation was starting to be affected, and he appealed for calm as the City looks for options to expedite housing development.

The invasion came after others which had been stopped two weeks ago along Vincent Tshabalala Road and next to the Kwa-Bhekilanga Sports Grounds.

Colonel Johannes Tau of Alex PoliceStation confirmed the incident and said they were not aware of any injuries. He was to provide further details after this reporting.

Details: Shadrack Mkhonto 079 444 1464.