Tongaat farmers fight back as land invasions threaten historic properties

IN EMONA, Tongaat, families who have farmed the same land for generations are facing a crisis as illegal invasions threaten their livelihoods and heritage.

- NADIA KHAN [e-mail]

ALLEGED illegal water connections, above, for ablution facilities; and right, alleged illegal electricity connections.

Despite opening cases with police and approaching municipal authorities, the landowners have been left frustrated as large permanent structures continue to be built on their private properties.

Now they are calling for urgent government intervention as the situation escalates

According to the landowners, the invasion started about two decades ago but it had worsened over the past two years.

Å landowner, farmer and businessman, who declined to be named for the fear of his life, said his various plots of land - which totaled 100 acres - was acquired by his grandfather in 1892. It was passed down to his father, and now to him.

He said his uncles had also been given land by his grandfather, which they had passed down to their children.

In total, the family owned over 250 acres of land, he added.

"My grandfather came to South Africa with his parents when he was seven years old. They toiled in the sugar cane plantations. Later in life, my grandfather leased some land. He then went on to buy the land where he had a sugar cane farm and grew Indian vegetables.

"He then divided the land between his children. This was the norm for many of our indentured forefathers who acquired land in the area.