People rush to stake their claim as
Party’s post about ‘free land’ sees hundreds of houses built on a vacant private property. M&G went to investigate … Delwyn Verasamy took the pictures
Hundreds of people have heeded a call by the Economic Freedom Fighters to move onto land in Olivenhoutbosch, in Gauteng, sparking an outcry from political opponents who accused the party of sponsoring the deliberate flouting of private property rights.
In a Twitter post on 27 August, the EFF in Gauteng said it was “giving out land for free”. In response, hundreds of people flocked to the area to claim stands on vacant land.
Within days, hundreds of homes had been built on the land.
The Mail & Guardian spoke to one man who was knocking the last few nails into the zinc roof of his new home. He said he was preparing to move in at the end of the week with his wife and children.
Asked why he had responded to the land grab, the man said he could no longer make ends meet, paying rent of R1 800 at a nearby township. He added that, as a registered electrician, he was struggling to keep up with competition from foreigners, whom he accused of undercharging for the same services.
Other people also complained about the high rental costs for even a single back room in the townships, saying they would rather stay on this land, without any water or electricity supply.
People came to the area from as far away as Lenasia, Midrand and Tembisa after hearing that there was free land available for the taking.
Residents near Olievenhoutbosch had complained that the land, which has been vacant for years, had become overgrown with vegetation and was a dumping ground for waste and rubble, making it a hiding place for criminals who raped women.
A committee made up of community members, which oversaw the land occupation, warned newcomers against constructing houses or any other structures under or alongside the Eskom power lines on the land.
The EFF said it had attempted to engage the ANC government on the issue of people needing land and homes but had decided to take action in the face of what it called inaction by the authorities.
Last year, the ANC shut the door on discussions with the EFF about proposed changes to parts of the Constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation.
In December, the National Assembly was not able to pass the amendment to section 25 of the Constitution to allow for expropriation, after the ANC failed to muster the required two-thirds majority, with both the EFF and the Democratic Alliance (DA) not supporting the move.
The DA says it has lodged a complaint with the public protector’s office regarding the EFF’S involvement in the land grab in Olievenhoutbosch.
“This act by the EFF is very worrisome as the land that was invaded is private property and another part belongs to Eskom,” the DA head of community safety in Gauteng Crezane Bosch said.
“While we acknowledge that housing is a problem, it is unacceptable that our residents who are in desperate need of dignified houses are used as a political football.
“Urgent intervention is needed in this matter.”
Bosch said during a recent visit to the land that has been invaded, DA officials were told the EFF had held numerous meetings in the area to discuss the land invasion.
“The DA will be closely monitoring the progress of this investigation and we will leave no stone unturned in this matter.
“Those behind this land grab must face the full might of the law and be brought to justice,” Bosch added.