Illegal land invasion angers residents

RESIDENTS from Mariannhil Park community were disturbed by crowds of people who came into the area to invade municipal land in Wulpert, Frey and Rudloff roads.

One of the residents said she was shocked to see people climbing out of six luxury cars which were parked in the road.

“They were carrying pangas, spades, bush knives and were chopping the trees. Other were painting the trees and putting up plastic to identify plots.

“They also arrived the next day and I called the eThekwini Municipal land invasion offices who brought out their security management.

Another resident said she was awoken by people talking in the bush at night. “I looked through the window and saw cars dropping off people.

“The next day, there was someone standing in my backyard. I approached him and asked where he came from and what was he doing in my yard.

“I was surprised when he said he was all the way from the Eastern Cape and he heard that there was land available in this area,” said a resident.

Residents said this problem is giving them sleepless nights as men have to go out at night to patrol the area. The community believes that this issue should be resolved soon.

“This is a serious matter as these are not poor people invading the area, these people come here in luxury cars,” they said.

The residents said some of the people they have confronted said the ward councillor, Shiphe Buthelezi, gave them permission to build in that area.

But the Ward 16 councillor said he is aware of the problem and denied that he was the one who gave people permission to occupy those areas.

“I was made aware of the Mariannhill Park problem on Saturday, 9 January. Unfortunately I was in Pietermaritzburg but I did call the security management who went to the area on Sunday, 10 January and removed them. I have held meetings with the community to try and resolve and clarify this issue, he said.

Buthelezi said he had also called a meeting in Nazareth and some of the people who wanted to take over the land were in the crowd.

“I asked them where the rumours that I gave them permission to occupy that place came from, but not even a single person could confirm it.

“What is so strange about this matter is that most of the invaders are not from the surrounding communities and are brought here by taxis.

“What is happening is illegal and we have taken steps to try and stop it, the security managent, SAPS and Metro police will be monitoring that place regularly,” he said.