Land invasion near Vosman

A group of people invaded a land near Vosman and the land on the road towards Clewer.
Hundred of people invaded the land making some markings on the empty land. According to sources the invasion started on Sunday October 25 in the morning as people were seen using poles, tapes and other materials to mark ‘their stands’. It is believed that the police and the law enforments from the city council told the people not to continue with their markings but apparently they were ignored. Even the Red Ants were involved trying to bring some sense to the people.

A lady who said she was from Vosman was found digging and indicated that they were desperate for ground to build their homes.

She said: “They told us that the lands belong to Top Surface or a mining company but we are going to build our shacks no matter what. People in other areas like in Marikane they force their way onto that land, what can prevent us from doing that. All we want is to be left in peace to continue with our markings.”

Police vans and Law enforcements cars were at the scene monitoring the situation on Monday morning and a group of people continued with the land invasion. Soon as the information about free stands spread like wildfire people were seen heading to the area.

A group of people invading the land near Vosman and Costas on the road towards Clewer.

The people said they were tied of staying in their crowded homes. The land invaders parked their cars near the road; some of the cars parked were the latest models indicating that the owners were well off.
Acting municipal manager Mr Theo van Vuuren in his Face book page said on Sunday morning a large group of people across the N4 from Vosman has started to occupy lands at the corner of Costas, at the turn off to Clewer. He said as the municipality they tried talking to the land invaders but attempts to talk to them failed. They were informed that their action was illegal and that it can not be tolerated. The land belongs to a mining group.

A group of people seen preparing the ground to mark ‘their stands’

“We understand that this action is being incited by some individuals. The issue of land development to accommodate the many thousands of families residing in informal settlement areas as well as in back rooms are indeed a serious one. The municipality together with the Department of Human Settlements both at a provincial and national level are working tirelessly in finding permanent solutions. To this end a strategy to address informal areas has been adopted by council during its meeting of September and the development of more than 10 000 new serviced stands at Klarinet and Siyaqoba are making good progress. Significant upgrades in bulk infrastructure are also in process.”

Mr van Vuuren added to say that:

“Land invasion especially when instigated with political or financial interest by a few, abuses the need of people for land and defies the legal processes aimed at addressing the issue. It can and will not be tolerated. Our city already have 69 informal settlements which as it’s not planned nor link to services provide an unhealthy and unsustainable situation and drains resources of authorities. The municipality will together with the private land owners proceed with legal actions and counter invasion measures.”

Land markings indicating that the stand has been marked by a land invader.

Vosman police communication officer Captain Klaas Maloka said they were aware of the land invasion by about 500 community members who wanted to occupy the land illegally next to N4 Highway. He said: “The area belong to Anglo mine. Law enforcement and police are monitoring the area. There were attempts to build but the people were stopped as it was illegally to do so.”