Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are behind the land invasion currently taking place on the Matlala road on the outskirts of the city.
This was confirmed by EFF premier candidate Mike Mathebe yesterday (Wednesday). “Yes, the EFF are encouraging people with no land to occupy land, especially land belonging to government,” he said. He confirmed that he was aware that private land was also being occupied.
On Friday Review received numerous phone calls from business owners saying some of their employees had not reported for duty because “Julius said we must come and get land”.
Also on Friday, Mathebe denied that this statement was made, but confirmed that the expropriation of land was on the cards when EFF came into power after the election.
By yesterday he had changed his story, and confirmed that the EFF was indeed behind the invasion.
Thousands of people hearing rumours of a land grab started claiming stands and occupying some 800ha of land on the northern side of the Matlala road, starting last Friday. By Sunday more than 600 motor vehicles were parked along the road, as people from near and far came to claim and illegally occupy their piece of land. According to information, some people claimed and “registered” up to nine different pieces of land.
Since then, hundreds of cars from all over the coutnry were parked along the road every day. The invasion was well orchestrated with at least two points where people could register their claims: one in Seshego zone 1 and another in Extension 73.
EFF members were helping people measure their plots and showing them where to register their claims. Some people who spoke to Review were under the impression that the people assisting them to register their claims were municipal officials. Most of people laying their claims were fully aware that the land belonged to the municipality as well as private landowners and some were heard to ask: “How can one person own so much land?”
On Tuesday when Polokwane municipal manager, Conny Mametja and her team as well as the police and community policing members began breaking down structures and removing debris, Joseph Buthane from the EFF, addressed a group land grabbers telling them: “You must be prepared to fight!” He also promised that the EFF would support them in their fight.
Municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene said the municipality had met with six people representing the claimants and had outlined the process to register for RDP houses.
She said an agreement was reached that no further invasions would take place and the municipality would engage with Coghsta regarding this matter. Yesterday (Wednesday), in spite of all structures and other debris having been removed, people were back marking “their” stands again.
Also yesterday, a large EFF meeting took place on this land, with attendees clearly feeling rebellious and shouting threats aimed at anyone who attempted to stop them from claiming “their” land.
Buthane said the EFF would continue backing the land claimants. “We will not back down and we will not accept the municipality’s proposals. They continue to insult our people by making promises of land and RDP houses, but we will continue with our actions,” he said.
