EFF compiles database of landless residents in preparation for land invasions

Alexandra (Alex) township residents, as well as other local residents from neighbouring areas, gathered early on Sunday, March 25, for the third consecutive day at the intersection of Far East Bank and Marlboro drives in Sandton, Johannesburg.

This was for what the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called a registration for land, which would be used for housing, Sandton Chronicle reports.

READ MORE: Five suspects arrested during attempted Waterfall land invasion

On the evening of 23 March, party officials addressed throngs on the registration process they said would continue for as long as the housing need by Alex residents continues. Branch leader Washington Maponyane said on 25 March that an estimated 5 000 were already registered in a database.

“Those with materials were allocated sites to start constructing in Waterfall View next to Waterval cemetery Midrand,” he said, adding that the party and those it registered were prepared to stand their ground against metro and South African police gathered next to the site.

Maponyane said the occupation was the last option after failed promises since 1996 to offer residents promised housing.

“Many completed C4 forms for housing, others were allocated shelter at transit camps then, and they can’t wait anymore.”

Maponyane said police parked across Marlboro Drive hadn’t confronted the gathering, but advised them to act peacefully. Some who registered said they did so from desperation and with reservation, as they were sceptical after only submitting copies of their identity document and contact details.

“We hope with the election due next year and unlike the government, this is not for electioneering,” said one who requested anonymity.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) party condemned the latest wave of land invasions that had been planned for this past weekend at the vacant Frankenwald Estate owned by Wits University.

In a statement, the DA called for swift action to be taken against Economic Freedom Front (EFF) party members and councillors who reportedly called on Alex residents to invade the land.

“The EFF has been encouraging people to break the law, in order to meet their own narrow political agenda. This proves just how reckless they are by wanting the state to own land and not the people.

“They are merely using the people of Alex as a means to realise this goal.”

The statement further said while the DA believes in land redistribution and restitution, it opposed land invasion or land expropriation without compensation because it would lead to the state owning all land and the people being only tenants on it.

“We want South Africans to own land, not to rent it from a government that has proved to be corrupt and incapable of serving its people.”

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