More land grabs could follow

2001-07-05 13:47

Johannesburg - More and more landless South Africans would invade government and privately owned property for as long as the official land restitution process was deficient, PAC secretary general Thami ka Plaatjie said on Thursday.

"The African people will find land for themselves," he told reporters after addressing scores of squatters who invaded land in Bredell outside Kempton Park.

The squatters paid R25 each to Pan Africanist Congress officials for a small plot.

He said he did not regard the move as illegal, adding: "This is the land of the African people, being held in trust for us by the government.

"How can they accuse us of invading land which belongs to us?"

The 32 000 hectare property is jointly owned by the national government, two farmers and parastatals Transnet and Eskom.

Many of those who moved to Bredell have been on a waiting list for government sponsored houses for the past six-years.

"Our people cannot be expected to be patient any longer," he said.

"If our people decide to take this step to take land for themselves we cannot stand in their way."

Plaatjie warned that Zimbabwean-style land invasions could become more common in South Africa.

"What is happening in Zimbabwe can become a Sunday picnic to what will happen here."

He denied that the PAC charged the Bredell squatters R25 for land saying it was their own decision to contribute the amount to a community fund.

The party was approached by the community to become involved in the matter.

The fund money would be used to pay the legal fees for opposing a government move to obtain a High Court eviction order against the squatters.

It would also be spent on water, sanitation and other services.

The money, about R179 000, would be kept in a trust fund and would not be managed by the PAC.

Plaatjie said some of the cash would be used to bail out about 70 squatters arrested earlier in the day on charges of trespassing.

Another three people, believed to be PAC officials who received money from the squatters, were apprehended on charges of contravening legislation regulating illegal land occupation.

Plaatjie rejected claims that the invasion had contributed to the recent devaluation of the rand. He also rejected the claim that it would scare off potential investors.

"In any event we have not seen substantial investment in this country since 1994 to the benefit of the lives of our people," he said.

"They (investors) must bring their money unconditionally otherwise they can just pack up and go."

He called for an urgent summit to discuss the question of land disposition.

He also lodged an appeal to church groups to speak out on this matter.

"Churches must desist from this conspiracy of silence." he said.

"Silence in the face of suffering amounts to betrayal.

Plaatjie stressed that the squatters intended staying on their new land at all costs but said bloodshed should be avoided.

"We will avoid conflict at all costs. We don't want another Sharpeville here."

- SAPA