‘Illegal land claims the work of EFF’

POLOKWANE – The illegal land claims on an open piece of land at Ext 40 along the Matlala road near Westenburg have become a worrysome picture in recent weeks.

On Saturday, five shacks were being erected, with two being completed and others still being erected by Wednesday afternoon.

The shacks were erected by residents from Disteneng, who claimed they had title deeds as proof that they had the right to occupy the land. However, none of these residents could produce a title deed when Review visited the area and requested to see them.

Westenburg residents said they were not going to allow anyone to occupy the land, unless they were also considered for RDP houses there. “We have been waiting for RDP houses since 2008 and we are not going to allow government to give people from other areas homes in our neighbourhood,” several Westenburg residents said angrily.

On Tuesday when Review visited the site, members of the EFF were also there. The EFF representatives took documents from the residents and left for a meeting with the municipality to discuss the situation and a way forward.

EFF member, Jan Maeko, said there were 150 people from Disteneng who had title deeds and who were going to live there.

“On the title deeds there are street names and house numbers. There is a map clearly showing that there will be houses here and next to the houses there will be a shopping complex. Westenburg residents can grab the land where the shopping complex is suppose to be because there is no need for a complex, there is a need for houses,” Maeko said.

Tidimalo Chuene, municipal spokesperson, said the municipality was aware of the unauthorised land occupation. “Engagement and consultations are underway between the stakeholders towards an amicable solution to the issue. The municipality will issue a statement as soon as all the immediate legal and relevant land-use related processes are satisfied. This includes the issue of whether there are title deeds or not,” Chuene said.