The feared words land expropriation and redistribution became a reality for farmers and the community in Ga-Nala this past weekend.
A group of people staked their claims on two farms located on the doorstep of the town on August 19. Later the afternoon the issue was resolved and the group dispersed from the farmland.
But it was not a land grab as set out in the ANC’s intention to change the constitution and speed up land reform. It was an outcry by a group of disheartened people who wanted Emalahleni Local Municipality to fulfil their promise of proper housing.
The people marked out stands on the two farms. Local farmers, residents of Ga-Nala, AfriForum, the Democratic Alliance and police immediately deployed. After lengthy conversations and just after the sun disappeared behind Kriel Power Station, the people left the farmland.
“We have sympathy for the people who only want what is promised to them. We blame politicians using this emotional and highly debated topic to create a political playing field,” Mr Hennie Bekker, AfriForum’s district co-ordinator in Mpumalanga said.
A local farmer, who is kept anonymous to protect him, said they are on high alert.
ALSO READ
BREAKING NEWS – Land grabbing activities in Ga-Nala
#PholaStrike – Three houses and one business premises burnt down in Phola
“Yes, we are nervous, but we have jacked-up our security, our two way radios and panic buttons are always on hand. Regular patrols are on the order of the day,” the farmer said.
Mr Dirk Grobler, DA ward councillor in Ga-Nala explained that the farmland is not suitable for housing.
“First of all it is illegal. Secondly because of the vleilands it is impossible to build any structures and then a mining company indicated that underground workings will soon commence where the people wanted to stake their claims,” Grobler said.
A group of people claimed land on two farms in Ga-Nala over the weekend.
He said five leaders of the group were identified and they are busy preparing a memorandum that will be handed over to Cllr Linah Malatjie, executive mayor of Emalahleni. The memorandum will contain all their grievances.
Grobler only had praise for the different role players for the manner in which this issue was resolved.
“The municipality has never promised people stands anywhere,” said Mr Lebo Mofokeng, municipal spokesperson.
He said people who need stands or Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses must be registered on the Housing Needs Register first.
“If we have a housing project, a number of units determined by council through a resolution are allocated to each ward and beneficiaries are identified by councillors. Those who don’t qualify for RDPs will be assisted only when stands have been made available.”
Mofokeng said the only land available is Thubelihle Ext 5 but it is held by council resolution which gave the stands to Kriel Coal.
Spatial Planning is in the process of rescinding the resolution in order to make the stands available for the community.
“As it is now we have allocated 100 houses to all three wards which are being built in Siyanqoba because we don’t have land at the present time at Ga-Nala pending rescinding the resolution on Thubelihle Ext 5,” Mofokeng said.
