Muni must ‘try harder’ to remove squatters off the agri-zoned land – EFF
The party says the illegal occupation of land stands in the way of emerging farmers' success.
POLOKWANE – The EFF last week insisted that the Polokwane Municipality deal harshly and decisively with those occupying agricultural land illegally.
The issue was raised during a council meeting, when EFF councillor, Freddie Ramaphakela called for small, medium and micro enterprises in the agricultural sector to be allocated the land instead, so that emerging farmers will be able to fulfill their duties as farmers on land that has been zoned for agricultural purposes.
“Small scale farmers are struggling to produce, because land allocated to them for farming is being occupied illegally.”
He specifically referred to land in Seshego zone 5, Ext 126 and Ext 127.
Ramaphakela called on the municipality to try harder to get illegal occupants to vacate the land, as legally, the land belongs to the municipality.
“The land we are referring to has been zoned for agricultural use, as there is a shortage of grazing land for livestock farmers. These farmers need the land because of the scarcity of livestock.”
A resolution was taken that audited data needs to be provided on illegal occupants for eviction purposes, in an effort to make space for farmers to occupy the land for agricultural use.
