KSD vows to pursue land grabbers

KING Sabata Dalindyebo municipal bosses have warned illegal land grabbers that they could find themselves behind bars if they are caught.

More than 100 hectares in different parts of the city have been invaded by so-called land grabbers in the last few months. Some of the land had been earmarked for housing developments, KSD municipal spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza said.

The Eastern Cape Regional Land Claims Commission has cautioned against buying or selling the plots in or around town as the land is under a land claim.

Mampoza told the Daily Dispatch yesterday that he had personally found illegally marked out plots at the Kei Rail on the outskirts of Mthatha this past weekend.

The municipality demolished 50 illegally built houses near the former Transkei Embassy along the R61, which had sprung up this year.

Some of the invaded land includes erf 912, which stretches from Zimbane Valley to include Kei Rail, Sidwadwa and KwaMpuku near the Mthatha Country Club up to the former embassy grounds.

Another parcel of land is Lot C, which covers parts of Mthatha West near the Mthatha Correctional Centre up to Highbury and Northcrest, as well as land near Mthatha Ultra City up to Glendon Farm nearby.

“The land belongs to KSD and it is unlawful to grab any piece of land,” Mampoza said, adding that municipal police would patrol some sites. —