‘Relief ’ for Gugulethu backyarders in land row

ABOUT 50 Gugulethu backyarders gathered at the Western Cape High Court this week to hear the verdict on an application for an interim interdict prohibiting them from occupying land on the corner of NY 1 and NY 112.

The land is owned by Chriswell Beleggings, an investment company owned by local businessman Peter Motale and his partners, the late Mandla Tshabalala and Sam Dube.

However, Judge Elize Steyn had to stand the matter down as opposition had come to the fore.

According to Steyn, the opposition had not filed a formal application, so there was “no indication that the matter should not proceed”, but agreed to postpone the matter to March 27.

According to the backyarders, this gives them some relief.

Protest leader Mirvin Tshabalala said: “We do not know what to expect now.”

Tshabalala further accused the City of not providing adequate housing, and said he was determined to “stay on the land regardless of what is said”.

“We have been backyarders for a very long time. Priority is constantly given to people in the informal settlements and this land has been vacant for many years. We are not going anywhere except, as previously mentioned, to Charlesville, as a transit village, while govern- ment builds our houses on that land.”

The group of 200 people has illegally occupied the land since their protests began about four weeks ago.

Earlier this month, mayor Patricia de Lille urged private landowners to be proactive in safeguarding property by fencing, monitoring or hiring private security.

“It is also advisable that they act quickly to obtain court interdicts against illegal land occupation,” De Lille said.