The department said that they are removing the structures put up by the invaders and looking for alternative accommodation for the invaders. Informal structures erected by land invaders on a Kokstad Farm. Picture: Supplied by Sharon de Kock
Durban - The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development says it working on removing land invaders from a Kokstad farm that it owns.
Last week “The Mercury” reported on a land invasion at Buildfontein farm in Kokstad which started in July.
The farm is owned by the department and has been leased to emerging farmers since 2017. The family leasing the farm and nearby landowners appealed to the department to evict the invaders and have the structures demolished.
The department said in a response on Wednesday that they are working on removing the structures erected by the invaders and finding them alternative accommodation.
Reggie Ngcobo, media liaison for the department, said the department has instructed the State Attorney to attend to the matter.
“We met with the municipality on August 16 to discuss it.”
He said alternative accommodation would be found for those who had invaded the land.
“Invaders have not necessarily constructed habitable structures or houses but small shacks, some made from wood, and some from corrugated iron. We believe this will not be difficult to remove.”
Sipho Zwane, municipal manager at the Greater Kokstad Municipality, said the municipality is working with the department to resolve the situation.
He said the speaker of the municipality had also addressed the invaders.
“We will continue to do our best until this situation is resolved.”
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