Residents of Bekkersdal have invaded a piece of land belonging to Gold One (formerly Rand Uranium) and claimed it as their own.
By late-afternoon on 21 January, approximately 600 people had already added their names to recipient list, drawn up by administrators appointed by the community, for the division of the land among them.
The piece of land is situated on Gemsbokfontein adjacent to Bekkersdal.
According to a representative from the Westonaria Concerned Residents Association Thabang Wesi, residents of Bekkersdal are only claiming what is rightfully theirs.
“Peoople need to be aware that our residents are fed up with empty promises from the government and they are now taking matters into their own hands.
“They have taken the decision to no longer rely on the government for houses and service delivery because nothing ever gets done.
“People are now at a point where they are now doing it for themselves.” says Wesi.
He adds that although nothing has been built on the piece of land as yet, residents of the area are preparing themselves to occupy the land as it has already been earmarked by the community, despite the fact that the Westonaria Local Municipality and Gold One has applied for an interdict to stop residents from taking over the land.
According to Gold One vice president for investor relations Grant Stuart, the interdict stopping residents from invading the land has been approved and the invaders were subsequently removed from the land.
Stuart has indicated that they have since invaded another piece of land allegedly belonging to another local mining company.
The Herald was unable to reach municipal spokesperson, Kgabane Madiehe, or the other mining company for comment on this issue.
