Squatters unfazed by eviction
2004-05-28 11:21
Benoni - At least 60 000 squatters at the Gabo informal settlement outside Daveyton, whose future has been discussed in the country's courts for more than four years, went about their business as usual on Thursday.
They were not bothered by the fact that Braam Duvenage, owner of the farm Modderklip, which they have illegally occupied for a number of years, has spent thousands of rands in legal fees in an attempt to evict them from his farm.
The squatter camp is dirty and covered in rubbish. Plastic bags, which Duvenage calls "flowers on the ground", were blowing around on Thursday afternoon while residents went about their daily routines.
Liza Mwana, 62, one of the squatters, said on Thursday that she plans to stay on the farm. This is her home and she does not plan to move.
She was apparently unaware of the possibility that the squatter camp might be moved soon.
"Why should we move? Where will we go? This is our land and our homes and nobody will evict us from here."
Another woman said they wanted to remain on the farm and did not want to know about the problems about the land they are occupying.
Most of the residents are apparently illegal immigrants, from Mozambique in particular, and most are unemployed.
Here and there, residents have planted lawns, vegetables and flowers.
Zehir Omar, legal representative of the squatters, said on Thursday afternoon: "We have won. The court ruling is exactly what we have been fighting for the past four years.
"All we wanted was for the squatters' rights to live on the land to be recognised and this is what the court decided."
He said the 58ha occupied by the squatters were not developed before they moved in there.
He said the court ruling was "not according to law, but a political ruling".
Duvenage said on Thursday afternoon: "After four years, the light at the end the tunnel burns brighter every day. There is hope. I again have faith in the legal system."