Residents of Msukaligwa Municipality invaded municipal land in parts of Ermelo and Breyten in recent weeks.
They claimed they have been given permission by their councillors and went in numbers to mark their stands.
However, the municipality is disputing the call to invade the land and deemed it illegal.
According to municipal spokesman, Mr Mandla Zwane, land invasions are an illegal attempt to occupy land and the municipality is doing all in its power, with the little resources they have, to curb it.
When the Highvelder visited one of the sites in Wesselton, a peace of land between a sewage pump and Nooitgedacht, a few residents where marking their stands.
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One resident confirmed the instruction to invade the land came from the councillor of Ward 4.
When asked about such, Mr Zwane replied by saying that no information suggests the involvement of the councillor.
“No councilor nor any official has been authorised to instruct people to invade land.”
Mr Zwane also said the above-mentioned land is unsuitable to build on with dangerous holes because of an open-cast mine that used to operate nearby that was not rehabilitated after the mine was rendered insolvent.
He also voiced his concerns that the sewage pipe leading to the sewage station may be affected as the community digs without checking where the pipes are located, which may cause blockages with dire consequences to both the community and the invaders.
“The municipality reiterates and appeals to all those, who are on the municipal housing waiting list, to be patient with the government,” he said.
Mr Zwane concluded by saying the government has always endeavoured, within their limited resources, to uphold the constitutional rights of citizens by providing decent housing for most of the qualifying residents in an orderly and sustainable manner.
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