Farmworkers protest against property sale

THE developer of a multimillion-rand luxury estate in Stellenbosch has angered former Longlands farmworkers in the Vlottenberg area after word spread that he had sold the property, targeted for housing, without their knowledge.

The Longlands community protested on Friday, blocking Polkadraai Road with burning tyres and other debris upon hearing that developer Francois Smit had sold the property, for which he had previously received clearance for construction through the Western Cape High Court after promising to build 106 low-cost houses for the residents.

Carmen Louw, co-director of NGO Women on Farms, said they were supporting the community who still lived in shacks, right next to the multimillion-rand development.

“The municipality and Smit never told the Longlands community the land would be sold and they don’t know if this new owner was just a shadow partner of his (Smit). They consider this just another stalling tactic as he continuously went back on his word over the years and they are angry,” said Louw.

She said Stellenbosch Mayor Gesie van Deventer had agreed to meet the community tomorrow.

Earlier this year, residents protested in Stellenbosch as Smit’s luxury development expanded, including a BP garage, but there was no sign of the promised low-cost housing.

Yesterday, Smit told the Cape Times to “respect” his Sunday and asked that he be contacted today, instead.

Stellenbosch municipal manager Geraldine Mettler said the municipality was only allowed to build on municipally-owned land and had requested the owner (Smit) to transfer the land to the municipality.

“Until today, the land has not been transferred, instead the owner apparently sold the land and transferred his rights to someone else. The proposed new owner indicated that he is prepared to now build the houses and the municipality is making every effort to assist him to do so,” she said.