KNYSNA NEWS - Residents of the Lankgewag settlement in Smutsville are in for a tough time in their immediate future with Knysna Municipality having approached the high court for an urgent interdict to address what they deem to be "land invasions".

The metaphorical "battle" for the land on the Lankgewag dune that separates Smutsville from the Groenvallei and Groenvlei areas is one that has been ongoing in the area for some time. 

First reports of settlers making the dune – which the municipality has repeatedly deemed "unsafe" for occupancy – their new home came in June 2018 when residents felt they had "waited long enough" for land on which to build homes in Smutsville.

This eventually resulted in protests flaring up in Smutsville, and over the next year the settlers seemed to ignore warnings from the municipality that the land was unsafe, and instead built structures on the dune. In June 2019 problems arose once more when the Red Ants broke down 18 structures that were "unoccupied" according to the municipality – despite residents later saying the structures were on the verge of being occupied when they were broken down.

With just over 100 residents at the time, Lankgewag settlers proceeded to continue building structures on the dune and to this day they still occupy the area. This won't be for much longer though, if acting municipal manager Dr Michele Gratz has anything to say about it. "The area at this stage cannot be classified as safe and stable, and in the interest of safety we urge residents not to build on theis dune," she said. "The invasion also poses a serious risk to the integrity of this sensitive coastal landscape."

Action from Gratz will now see the municipality approach the high court for an interdict to address the issue. 

"We have no option but to enforce and uphold the law," Gratz said. "The interdict will allow the municipality to open a case of trespassing against anyone occupying land illegally and arrest anyone trespassing on the land and prosecute them successfully."

She further stated that the municipality will be taking a firm stance against such activities. "To protect the assets and infrastructure of our town we are taking a zero-tolerance approach to illegal activities like these," Gratz remarked. "Despite our warnings, residents continue to unlawfully invade land and rely on the Property Act (PIE Act) to legitimise their unlawful behaviour.

"We will no longer tolerate this. Communities must be mindful that this matter took up time and resources which could have been spent on service delivery," Gratz concluded.

Related articles:

• Settlers rebuilding after Red Ants intervention
• 'Housing: Don't invade, rather engage'
• War zone, as quiet community erupts
• We have waited long enough

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