King William’s Town’s Mpandlana village residents are up in arms amid allegations that a local is selling their land for R110 a plot along the R63 near Bhisho.
Villagers said a number of plots had been sold to people from different communities in and around the King area.
At the centre of the controversy is Thozamile Putuma.
Village community leader Happy Copiso accused Putuma of threatening residents by drawing a knife on a group.
Putuma did not deny the knife incident but claimed it was an act of self-defence after he was allegedly threatened by a man armed with a shovel. “This young man from that village threatened me while he was carrying a shovel. I produced my knife, not saying I wanted to stab him but to warn him that I was also armed. I also carry my pepper spray as I don’t trust these people.”
Responding to allegations he was selling land, Putuma said: “We are selling the plots from R110 and the money is then transferred to the community trust. It’s not for individuals or myself.”
Mpandlana residents say they received the land along the R63 in 2004 from the department of public works. Community member Lathiwe Mkhohlakali insisted the land was meant for development of their village. “The fight for this land has led to threats to those who are vocal and against these invaders. We are clear as the village that we don’t want any person from outside to build here.
“If we can allow that to happen, it will lead to a rise in crime in our communities,” said Mkhohlakali. Putuma said they would not stop.
“We are in the same Amahlathi local municipality ward 8 – what stops us from developing the area?”
Copiso said they did not want their village to be like Dikidikana where a number of people occupied land, allegedly without the village approval.
In Dikidikana village, public sector employees and other people built lavish homes worth millions of rands on grazing land 14km west of King William’s Town along the R63.
The Bhisho High Court early last year ordered them to demolish the houses. The case has been postponed indefinitely by the Bhisho High Court.
Public works spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile said they would involve police to stop those who occupied the land without authorisation.
“Public works has a caretaker agreement with the villagers, no one else. The local ward councillor and traditional leadership have been tasked to do a needs analysis for the area.
“Next week we have a planned meeting with relevant stakeholders but those who invade ... police will deal with them,” added Zuzile. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Community in uproar over sale of plots for R110
Villagers said a number of plots had been sold to people from different communities in and around the King area.
At the centre of the controversy is Thozamile Putuma.
Village community leader Happy Copiso accused Putuma of threatening residents by drawing a knife on a group.
Putuma did not deny the knife incident but claimed it was an act of self-defence after he was allegedly threatened by a man armed with a shovel. “This young man from that village threatened me while he was carrying a shovel. I produced my knife, not saying I wanted to stab him but to warn him that I was also armed. I also carry my pepper spray as I don’t trust these people.”
Responding to allegations he was selling land, Putuma said: “We are selling the plots from R110 and the money is then transferred to the community trust. It’s not for individuals or myself.”
Mpandlana residents say they received the land along the R63 in 2004 from the department of public works. Community member Lathiwe Mkhohlakali insisted the land was meant for development of their village. “The fight for this land has led to threats to those who are vocal and against these invaders. We are clear as the village that we don’t want any person from outside to build here.
“If we can allow that to happen, it will lead to a rise in crime in our communities,” said Mkhohlakali. Putuma said they would not stop.
“We are in the same Amahlathi local municipality ward 8 – what stops us from developing the area?”
Copiso said they did not want their village to be like Dikidikana where a number of people occupied land, allegedly without the village approval.
In Dikidikana village, public sector employees and other people built lavish homes worth millions of rands on grazing land 14km west of King William’s Town along the R63.
The Bhisho High Court early last year ordered them to demolish the houses. The case has been postponed indefinitely by the Bhisho High Court.
Public works spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile said they would involve police to stop those who occupied the land without authorisation.
“Public works has a caretaker agreement with the villagers, no one else. The local ward councillor and traditional leadership have been tasked to do a needs analysis for the area.
“Next week we have a planned meeting with relevant stakeholders but those who invade ... police will deal with them,” added Zuzile. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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