Farmer who ‘drove into crowd’ to be investigated

POLICE have opened an investigation following incident where a farmer in Greyton near Caledon allegedly drove through a protesting crowd.

ANC member of the provincial legislature (MPL) Maurencia Gillion said she was in Greyton to accompany people to the police station to lay charges.

Hundreds of demonstrators on Monday were protesting in the area when the farmer allegedly drove his vehicle into the crowds.

“Charges of intimidation, victimisation and knocking down a pregnant woman were made against the farmer,” she said.

Gillion said the situation had become explosive.

“We do not want a repetition of what had happened in Hermanus to occur here. The ANC does not want a total shutdown of Greyton as has been threatened by Madiba Park residents. We appeal to the mayor of Theewaterskloof, Christelle Vosloo, to meet the people of Madiba Park. They want to talk to her. I’ve tried to call her but she does not answer my calls,” she said.

Vosloo said the Madiba Park situation developed two years ago when a group of people were chased out of Bereaville, Genadendal.

“The homeless people moved to a piece of land on Farm 39 in Greyton. This portion of land is known as Madiba Park. Farm 39 is Moravian Trust Land of which the minister of rural development is the custodian.

“After being chased from Madiba Park too, the municipality took a humanitarian decision to accommodate the homeless people in tents on a piece of municipal land.

“The people later moved back to Madiba Park without consulting the municipality. Statements that the municipality moved the people there are a lie,” she said.

Vosloo said the people of Madiba Park requested access to basic services from the municipality.

“The municipality could not comply as the minister of rural development has custody of the land. The municipality on numerous occasions informed the former Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, Gugile Nkwinti, that the local government did not have land that was ready to move the people of Madiba Park onto.

“The municipality constantly requested the minister to allow the people of Madiba Park to remain there as an interim arrangement.

“This housing project will, among others, benefit the people of Madiba Park.

“The removal of the interim chemical toilets over the weekend was due to a misunderstanding and when I heard of it, I instructed the administration to take the toilets back until more conventional ablution facilities can be implemented,” she said.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said an enquiry has been opened for investigation following the incident.

“Once the investigation is finalised action can be taken.”