Illegal land grabs threaten unique flora and fauna near EL Airport
State-owned Greydell farm under pressure from home seekers
The long-standing encroachment of illegal land occupiers on to the state-owned farm Greydell in the Bhongweni area adjacent to the East London Airport has brought into sharp relief humanity’s competing needs for safe habitats and access to the natural environment.
Land grabbing by poor people and some “rich folks” on the periphery of the Umtiza Forest reserve in the Buffalo Pass threatens the area’s unique flora and fauna, environmental officials said this week, and may also hamper long-term expansion of the airport, which depends on access to parts of Greydell.
Environmental officials are concerned that the land grabbers’ encroachment on the reserve affects one of only a few areas in the world where the umtiza listerana tree grows.
Already clumps of trees outside the reserve are being pulled down by new residents. Officials have also expressed concern about the samango monkey population in the forest.
The provincial department of economic development, environmental affairs and tourism (Dedeat) has also issued an administrative enforcement notice on the SA Tuberculosis Association, whose premises abut the Umtiza reserve and where indigenous forest has been cleared allegedly without authorisation.
But an almost five-year study of the conflicting sets of interests is still stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
The report, by an intergovernmental task team (IGTT) set up by then-minister of public works and infrastructure Thulas Nxesi in about 2015, has still not been published, despite ostensibly being completed in 2019.
And officials in national, provincial and local government would not state specifically what community engagement efforts had been implemented over the years, with Dedeat spokesman Ncedo Lisani referring to “extensive consultation” since 2012 which had not prevented the destruction of the forest and land invasion.
Public works is the main holder of government land in Bhongweni.
The Agricultural Research Council also owns some land.
Both entities have court orders in place to stop illegal occupation of their land.
But the invasions have continued unabated, with squatters erecting structures that range from a rickety shack to large brick and tiled roof houses.
Lisani said the IGTT report was finalised in 2019 and submitted to the relevant ministers. He said the department hoped a holistic solution would be found for the land invasions.
But national public works spokesperson Thami Mchunu would only say the “final report is now at advanced stages” and would be “tabled shortly for endorsement by the political principals”.
Mchunu confirmed on Tuesday the wide-ranging IGTT study had mapped sites, confirmed ownership of the invaded land and determined the land requirements for runway extensions at the airport.
“Many initiatives have been undertaken in a bid to stop further illegal human settlements, including the posting of a security company in the area and putting up of boards warning against illegal settlements.
“These unfortunately have not yielded positive results as the community intimidated and threatened the security personnel and the warning signs were removed,” Mchunu said.
Vuyani Dayimani, chief executive of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, which manages Umtiza, confirmed on Tuesday that an increase in crime had been experienced on the reserve, including theft of electrical infrastructure and burglaries of offices and stores.
He also reported an increased incidence of fires in the forest.
Two sources, who asked not to be named because they are not authorised to speak to the media, said on Tuesday that a scheduled demolition and eviction operation by conservation officials, SAPS and the sheriff of the court, was called off because insufficient police officers were available due to Covid-19 infections.
Police spokesperson colonel Sibongile Soci did not respond to requests for comment on the operation.
Dayimani said recommendations regarding a possible transfer of some land from Greydell into the reserve had not been finalised — a suggestion mooted by some who have participated in aspects of the IGTT.
“Parks and Tourism would like to see the indigenous forest areas adjacent to the reserve protected and a more sensitive, conservation-orientated, low-impact land use in this important buffer area. We would also like to ensure that current planning makes adequate provision for the ongoing safe operation of the airport as well as for the future expansion of the airport,” Dayimani said.
A representative of the Airports Company of SA could not be contacted this week.
Lisani said the provincial department hoped the IGTT recommendations were implemented.
“This includes security for the continued existence of the EL Airport, associated regional economic security for business that rely on the airports operations, and removal of unlawful structures that will prohibit the expansion of the airport.
“It includes measures to provide alternative land for truly disadvantaged homeowners who require houses and the development of that land for sustainable settlement.
“The recommendations also provide measures for the protection of remaining indigenous forest — less than 1% of the vegetation type is conserved.”
BCM’s council has previously expressed frustration with the slow progress of the IGTT, with mayor Xola Pakati in 2017 threatening a political intervention to deal with the issue.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya confirmed on Tuesday the council was represented on the task team.
The invasions have continued unabated, with squatters erecting structures that range from a rickety shack to large brick and tiled roof houses