In a bold move, hundreds of individuals have taken matters into their own hands by occupying land near KwaNobuhle in Kariega. The land, once utilized for vegetable farming, has been left neglected by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, turning into a breeding ground for crime including rape, murder, and the dumping of stolen vehicles.

The occupation began over the weekend and has continued into the week, with occupants, including elderly individuals, clearing the land and demarcating plots using strips of plastic and planks. Their intention is to build shacks and create homes for themselves and their families in an effort to escape the overcrowded and unsafe living conditions they currently endure.

Xolani Booi, a resident in the nearby Area 11 informal settlement, highlighted the urgent need for intervention, citing a recent incident where a man’s body was discovered in the area. He emphasized that had there been a community living on the land, such tragedies could have been prevented.

Phakamisa Zinto, another occupant, expressed his joy at the prospect of securing a space for his children, envisioning a brighter future for them. Similarly, Thando Tshandu and Mzwabantu Loro, both seeking relief from cramped living arrangements, are determined to create a safer environment for themselves and their families.

Despite the occupants’ noble intentions, Nelson Mandela Bay Mayco Member for Human Settlements, Thembinkosi Mafana, has vowed to put a stop to the occupation, emphasizing the illegality of the action. Municipal spokesperson Mamela Ndamase echoed this sentiment, stating that the land is a flood plain and must be cleared of the makeshift plots.

As tensions rise between the occupants and the authorities, the future of the land remains uncertain. Will the residents be able to secure a place to call home, or will they be forced to vacate the land they have claimed as their own? Only time will tell in this ongoing saga of land occupation and the fight for a better life.