PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Bitou Municipality has strongly condemned the acts of land invasion in Kwanokuthula and subsequent destruction of public infrastructure yesterday, Wednesday 18 March.
A statement by Acting Municipal Manager Christopher Mapeyi earlier today said certain residents, after being stopped from illegally occupying land in Kwanokuthula and Kranshoek this week, resorted to harmful actions.
“These actions are unlawful, dangerous, and deeply harmful to the entire community as well as costly to the municipality,” said Mapeyi.
“Yesterday [Wednesday], the community torched an excavator truck [and] burned tyres on a municipal road - costs that could range in the millions.”
He said added to this are the costs of overtime for the workers of the Bitou Law Enforcement officials, who have worked around the clock to safeguard municipal infrastructure.
He reminded residents of the existing court order protecting pockets of municipal land from unlawful occupation and land invasion.
“This court order, obtained in 2023/2024, encompasses areas within Kwanokuthula, including but not limited to the municipal land situated behind Nkqubela Street (buffer zone), the area behind Assemblies of God Church, Phase 3, Kwanokuthula, and the area adjacent to the transfer station next to Magda Homestead.”
Arrest
Mapeyi said contravention of the court order will result in prosecution and a possible jail term “in line with the laws of the country”.
Bitou Municipality confirmed a resident has been arrested by the Bitou Law Enforcement anti-land invasion team in connection with these “violent “ incidents.
“Bitou Municipality calls on community leaders, residents and stakeholders to unite in protecting our land, preserving infrastructure, and ensuring orderly development for the benefit of all,” said Mapeyi.
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