Illegal shacks still being built despite warning

ILLEGAL shacks continue to be built on a state-owned farm near Fort Jackson, where plots as huge as a sport field sell for R5 000.

In November, the department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) distributed a letter to the hundreds of illegal occupants, asking them to move off the farm as it was meant for an agricultural project.

But the land invaders continue to build their shacks. All that has changed is that the plots are now more expensive, from the R230 and a bottle of brandy that used to exchange hands.

In the letter, signed by DRDLR provincial chief director head Zukile Pityi, on November 9, shack dwellers were given five days’ notice to move off the land.

“The department has noticed that there is illegal allocation and sale of land as well as building of structures at a farm known as Grayland Farm … this is to notify you that this conduct is unlawful and therefore you have illegally occupied this farm,” wrote Pityi.

“The department therefore notifies that all perpetrators of these illegal demarcations, allocation and sale of sites must stop immediately and the structures be demolished.”

But the Saturday Dispatch received calls from the public saying people continue to build shacks on this land.

The Dispatch team visited the area and spoke to Mxolisi Nyobo, who confirmed that plots were now being sold for R5 000. Nyobo said he bought a piece of land earlier this year hoping to build a house, and was horrified to learn it had not been available for sale.

“I bought a big plot for R230 and a bottle of brandy as was required by people selling the land. These people said they will turn this farm into a village as they were representing a trust that was allocating sites to people,” said Nyobo.

He was annoyed to later find other shacks had been built on what he thought was his site. “When I enquired about this I was never given a straight answer by the people who were allocating the sites.”

Nyobo, who is disabled and lives in Mdantsane, said he had paid more than R10 000 to erect a fence around this yard.

Nyobo said, despite the DRDLR letter, if a person wanted land today they could get it, provided they paid more money.

“I paid R230. However, if another person comes with R5 000, the land sellers will give that person your land without consulting you,” said Nyobo.

A number of other people who had shacks on the farm refused to speak to the Dispatch, referring us to Mzoxolo Gelesha, also known by his clan name Dikela, saying he would know more about the sale of the plots.

When contacted, Dikela refused to comment, saying: “I am not allowed to talk to you about this. Speak to the person who gave you my number.”

Another resident in the community gave the Dispatch numbers for a person known as Gqugqugqu, who was believed to be involved in the sale of the plots. He could not be reached for comment.

Both Dikela and Gqugqugqu are government employees working for the departments of health and education respectively.

The Dispatch understands many of those who live on the land are civil servants. Currently close to 200 sites have been sold in the area.

DRDLR national spokeswoman, Linda Page said they were aware of the farm invasion. “The department is aware of this and the Eastern Cape office is dealing with it,” she said.

Meanwhile, in another land dispute – Fort Grey’s Bhongweni area near the East London airport – people continue to build their houses despite the Public Works department erecting signs warning people to not build houses in the area. Houses worth millions of rands are illegally built here. — bonganif@