Unemployment Forum in court
According to residents, the forceful occupation comes after the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality's stalling in attending to the matter
LIMPOPO –Â The Motetema Unemployment Forum members facing charges of trespassing had their case postponed to 11 July after they briefly appeared before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court, Sekhukhune last Tuesday afternoon.
Their arrest and charge comes after residents of Motetema and Tafelkop’s Botlopunya section, Sekhukhune illegally occupied a privately owned property in Motetema since the previous Thursday.
According to residents, the forceful occupation comes after the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality’s stalling in attending to the matter.
After forum leaders met with the local mayor, Julia Mathebe, the municipal manager, Minor Maredi, and police at the Groblersdal police station last Monday, the group was arrested and charged.
Groblersdal police spokesperson, WO Stanley Magela, confirmed a case of trespassing was opened and 11 people were arrested and released on warning.
Booysen Mahlangu, chairperson of the forum, said the charges against their 11 leaders, five from Motetema and six from Botlopunya, would not deter them from occupying the Boschoek property, because the municipality was taking too long to attend to the issue, while there was a serious need for land.
“We will continue to occupy the land. Previously we tried to occupy land within Motetema, but the municipality stopped us, and promised us land. We have been patient with them for a very long time. What surprises us is that those who refused to move from the two spaces we tried to occupy before, are still there, and the municipality is now servicing the area. The mayor shows no interest in addressing the matter,” explained Mahlangu.
Thabo Manasoe (38), a Motema resident, said: “our parents’ yards are now getting too small to accommodate us and our children. We need land”.
Mbusi Mhlangu, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality spokesperson, said they could not comment at this stage as the matter was currently receiving legal attention.
Police are currently monitoring the area where the residents are illegally occupying property.
