Gauteng residents illegally occupy privately-owned Olievenhoutbosch plot

An open plot of land in Olievenhoutbosch has been targeted in a land grab by residents from as far afield as Soweto.

Spurred on by the Economic Freedom Fighters, people began erecting informal dwelling structures.

However, residents, with some coming from Mamelodi and Tembisa, said the land grab was not political.

The land, which is privately owned, is marked with red-and-white barrier tape and barbed wire.

Despite the City of Tshwane’s clarion call against land grabs, residents said it was time to take matters into their own hands.

Without crucial infrastructure including water and electricity, the vacant land has become home to hundreds.

The area is noticeably deserted with long and lush grass as well as heaps of waste – while large electrical transmission towers and high-voltage power lines loom on the skyline.

There are no housing barriers on the plot. One resident told the publication about the heavy financial burden people were facing.

He said they would continue erecting informal structures in the area as they had nowhere else to go.

“Things are heavy and everything is costly; electricity is high. It’s not good, but people are tired,” he said.

Police were deployed to halt the land grabs but residents say they will not relent until they are fully settled in the area.

MMC TAU CONDEMNS ILLEGAL INVASION

The City of Tshwane’s Human Settlements MMC Abel Tau has condemned the illegal invasion of land in Olievenhoutbosch.

Tau told the publication that without the involvement of town planners, residents were at risk of dangers such as natural disasters.

“I can tell you, some people don’t have R20,000 to buy a piece of land right now. So, again, it is going to benefit people who are shacking farming and are using it for all sorts of things either than human settlements.”

While the city was able to protect parts of the state-owned land, residents have occupied large portions which are owned by private entities.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng has written to the Office of the Public Protector, complaining that the land grabs were unlawful.

-EWN

In other news – Prayers pour in for Gogo Maweni

Mzansi reality TV star and sangoma Gogo Maweni is reportedly recovering from surgery performed on her sinuses this week, this is according to TshisaLIVE. Gogo Maweni told the news outlet that because her condition had grown more severe over the years, she had to undergo surgery.

“It was for nose reconstruction. I was fixing my nose. I went for the operation because I was suffering from very severe sinusitis, Learn More