Ownership dispute to be investigated
On Sunday a woman in her early 30s, Ms Zanele Nkosi of Section B, was allegedly instructed by prominent members of the ANC in the area, together with committee members, to dig up the grave of her infant baby
MSHOLOZI – Issues of land ownership, transactions and land grabbing still continue to be a bone of contention among neighbours and the residents of the soon-to-be township, Msholozi settlement on the outskirts of White River.
On Sunday a woman in her early 30s, Ms Zanele Nkosi of Section B, was allegedly instructed by prominent members of the ANC in the area, together with committee members, to dig up the grave of her infant baby whom she and her husband, Mr Lucky Selepe and their families, buried a few metres from where the foundation of their home ends, adjacent to their pit toilet.
“The child was born prematurely at eight months and unfortunately, only lived a day and was buried here. Surprisingly, the chairperson of the ANC branch in this area gave us an ultimatum of two days to exhume the child’s remains to be buried at a place he will show us because they say this portion of land does not belong to us,” explained Nkosi.
According to information received by this newspaper, the family was called to return home while they were on their way to church on Sunday because lots of people were at their home with picks and shovels.
Nkosi explained that the neighbours told them to move whatever belongings they have in the piece of land and shift their fence because the portion of land officially belongs to them.
“Some were even telling me to get shovels and dig up the grave there,” she said.
According to her, she and her husband bought their stand from its previous owner who apparently made arrangements with the neighbours who had not built a house, to have the portion of land in question, be transferred to Nkosi and her family.
As a result, they built their toilet there and even extended their home’s foundation.
“For unknown reasons, the portion was resold for R20 000 on Sunday,” she said.
They even suspect police of siding with the committee.
The family has since been granted a protection order by the White River Magistrate’s Court.
Mbombela’s spokesperson, Mr Joseph Ngala said he was not aware of the issue, but would engage with all the parties involved.
“Those are some of the challenges of resettling people. I don’t know what processes the said committee followed, and don’t know how ANC members are involved in the settling of people.
No one has a right to tell others to exhume a body except the police and the relevant department. We will definitely follow up on this matter,” said Ngala.
