Palm Ridge Extension residents want farmers out of the community

This is based on health concerns due to the smell, flies and the increasing number of famers occupying the space.
The residents complained that they have endured farmers for too long, even after numerous meetings with the local leaders to find a solution two years ago.

One of the residents, Thabo Gumbi, said in the beginning there was only one old farmer who asked the community to erect a shelter for his two goats because his neighbours were not pleased with having the animals around.

Gumbi said over the years more farmers came to occupy the vacant land and most of them are from Lesotho.

“The sad part is that over the past year at least five children have been found dead at the back of the structures,” he added.

“It worries us because there is a very bad small and flies caused by the pigs, goats, cows and chickens. We did not want a lot of farmers within the community. We can’t breathe properly or even eat without insects flying over the food,” said Gumbi.

William Mokoena said they want the farmers to be moved to a more suitable place away from the community because they do not know who gave them permission to occupy the land.

He explained that the structures used by the farmers also hamper the flow of water during heavy rainfall, which results in sewage blockage.

“The sewerage flow has never been like this before. What makes us angry is that the owners of these farms do not live in our community so they do not understand how we are impacted.

“We tried to address this issue with the street committee. They called a meeting to speak to the owners, but we never got a straight answer as to what will happen,” said Mokoena.

Peter Mosewa (23) has been farming in Ext One for over seven years. He owns cattle, a flock of sheep and a trip of goats.

Mosewa said they were not provided the space by government but they met with the street committees to seek permission to use the vacant land.

According to Mosewa, they even obtained an operational certificate to use the land until the government moves them.

He said he acknowledges that the animals contribute to the smell, but his main concern is where will they move to.

“I do not have a problem with moving, but where am I going to move to? If they are going to move us they have to provide us with a suitable place with electricity and water for livestock,” said Mosewa.

One of the farmers, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the community should not blame them for the smell since they are hygiene-conscious.

“We have engaged with the municipality and we were promised to be moved. The municipality said they have vacant land, but first they have to put resources in place.

“We have been waiting for two years now,” said the anonymous farmer.

Patrick Ngwane (59) said they were given the land long before Palm Ridge Ext Nine was even established in 1998.
Ngwane said they also contribute to food security and that the government has to provide them grazing land with electricity and water.

City of Ekurhuleni acting spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the city is in the process of establishing the ownership of the land so that all activities that happen on the land are addressed.

“The matter has been referred to our city planning and real estate departments to determine the zoning of the land. A statutory notice will be issued to the owner of the land to address the issue of the existing nuisance, depending if it is privately owned. If not, action will still be taken,” said Dlamini.