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Eviction Order Leaves Villagers in Limbo After Land Scam Exposed

Published November 14, 2024
3 months ago

The Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in Mpumalanga faces a humanitarian dilemma as scores of families are set to lose their homes after the Middelburg High Court ordered the eviction of individuals occupying municipal land illegally sold to them. This twist of events leaves residents of Magadangana Village, also known as the Farm Vlaklaagte, on the brink of displacement, with nowhere else to turn.





Since 2018, Judas Mahlangu, of the Ndzundza-Mabhoko Traditional Authority, exploited his position by selling plots of land that belonged to the municipality. The victims of this scam, many of whom are financially constrained, have invested their savings, and some even acquired loans to build their homes. Now, they stand to lose everything by the court-ordered eviction date of 31 October.


The illegal selling of these plots was discovered by the municipality in June 2019 and has been in contention ever since. Initially, the court had issued an interdict in February 2022, preventing Mahlangu and his associate, Johannes Jiyane, from distributing any more land. Despite this, approximately 200 informal structures have emerged, including both makeshift shacks and more substantial brick houses.


The personal toll of this tragedy is palpable. Residents like Jabulani Ngema have voiced their fears, as the impending eviction threatens to derail their aspirations and livelihoods. Ngema's plans for self-sustainment through initiating a vegetable garden might come to naught if he's forced to leave the land where he has built his home.


Judge Mpopelele Bruce Langa's dismissal of Mahlangu’s appeal underscores a dark reality – the exploitation of vulnerable communities by those in power. By rejecting Mahlangu's authority to represent the residents and affirming the municipality's ownership of the land, the court has exposed a critical weakness in community leadership and land administration governance.


In an attempt to comply with the court's mandate, the municipality has been tasked with identifying alternative land for the displaced. The fate of these residents is currently in the hands of the court's Sheriff, set to execute the eviction order.


As Christmas approaches, the anxiety among the villagers mounts. They are now faced with the uncertainty of relocation, the potential destruction of their homes, and the dire need for shelter. Despite the promises of finding alternative land, the implications of rebuilding their lives linger heavily in the community atmosphere.


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