MATAFFIN – A 15th suspect has been arrested and will also face charges of illegally selling land in Mataffin.
According to Sgt Gerald Sedibe, on Friday around midday, Mr Mcebo Mabutho Nkosi, was apprehended.
The other suspects were arrested from June 17.
“Nkosi appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was released on R2 000 bail. He and the others will appear again in court on February 4, 2016,” said Sedibe.
Six of them were arrested by the Hawks in full view of learners of John Mdluli Primary School. Members of the Mataffin Business Forum and Siphezi Royal Kraal were cornered at the school gate immediately after handing over uniform donations to the school.
This was followed by unrest in the area regarding the illegal selling of land allegedly by Nkosi who posed as the rightful owner and chief of portion of land including Woodhouse 308JT. Houses were burnt during protests and a string of arrests followed, including that of the local councillor.
This led to an increase in EFF membership in Mataffin as some ANC members defected to join the party.
Earlier this year Mpumalanga News reported on the illegal transactions. Stands were sold for R6 000, R12 000 and more.
Buyers said they bought the stands because they were told that the sellers were the rightful owners of the land.
Contrary to these claims, a court order intending to evict occupants of the land was issued to the Mbombela Local Municipality, saying it was in actual fact the rightful owner of the land.
Mr Joseph Ngala, spokesperson for Mbombela, warned those involved in the illegal transactions of land that they will face the full might of the law.
Ngala stated that four legal entities owned the land around Mataffin, namely the municipality, Mdluli Trust, HL Hall & Sons and the community trust.
The latest arrest comes barely a week after the Mataffin Mdluli Trust celebrated 12 years of successfully owning ancestral land. The land was handed over by the Land Claims Commission in 2003.
Leader of the clan, Mr Terry Mdluli, said the trust negotiated with community leaders to reach an agreement and maintain peace.
