PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A stand-off over an alleged land invasion by backyard dwellers on a property in Kwanokuthula ensued today, Wednesday 18 March, with an unresolved issue of whether an order dating back to 2022 that was read to the occupiers was an interim or a final court order.
During the morning, a number of people were marking out properties and erecting structures on open land that has been earmarked for the Malibongwe Cultural Village.
A large police contingent and Bitou Law Enforcement personnel were on the scene. A legal representative from Bitou, Shaylee Westhead, read a copy of the court order, issued in Knysna in October 2022, to leaders of the Non-aligned Civic Movement.
Hansie Tshala, leader of the movement, then said that the court document was a temporary order and that a final order had not been served on the community.
The stand-off continued with Bitou officials insisting they were in possession of the final order.
Tshala said the community had taken matters into their own hands after several delays by Bitou Municipality to address the land question that dates back to November 2025, when the backyard dwellers had marched to the Bitou Municipality in Sewell Street.
Municipal statement
Subsequent appointments, of which the last one had been set down for yesterday, 17 March, were not honoured, he said, but were postponed until further notice by Acting Municipal Manager Christopher Mapeyi.According to Tswala, Mapeyi had told the movement he had a personal emergency.
At a community meeting last night, it was decided to map out the new plots.
A statement issued by Mapeyi today said the municipality was aware of the land invasion “currently occurring in Kwanokuthula and Kranshoek”.
“We urge residents to refrain from unlawful land invasions, as occupying land without permission is illegal and undermines fair and orderly access to housing for all. Bitou Municipality has been positively engaging with residents on ongoing housing-related matters. This includes the Nkqubela backyard dwellers.
“The municipality continues to encourage residents to register on the official Housing Demand Database at the various Bitou offices,” Mapeyi’s statement said.
He said Bitou Law Enforcement and Public Order Police “are currently monitoring the situation”.
A further update will be published in due course.
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