THE threat of eviction has united political foes ANC and EFF against a farmer in KwaZulu-Natal.
A total of six families are facing possible eviction from a peach and livestock farm in Kokstad.
Noel Fleming bought the farm last year. Families living there say he has threatened to evict them.
The matter has been reported to the department of rural development and land reform, but the farmer has apparently increased his efforts in intimidating the farm tenant s.
The department's regional director, Phakamile Nobula, said when the matter was brought to their attention, they told Fleming that he could not evict the tenants without giving them alternative accommodation.
"He told us that the sale agreement he signed states that the tenants would move out. We have asked him to forward us that agreement and he has not done so," said Nobula.
He said the department would find legal representation for the affected families.
Fleming did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.
ANC councillor Tshidiso Mohlakoane yesterday said he told the families not to move.
"The issue of farm tenants being given a week's notice or being dumped in the middle of town is common in local farms. We want to put a stop to this because it is illegal," he said.
The EFF, which recently led a campaign to invade empty local farms, said it would march to the farm.
"We want to make an example [of] this farmer by marching to his farm next week and demarcating it for the farm tenants," the EFF's local leader Dumisani Dlamini said. "He came from Europe without land and he and his people stole the land from our people and now he has the audacity to chase our people away."
One of the residents facing eviction is Nomathemba Sibanyoni, 75, who has lived on the farm for 39 years.
The Extension of Security of Tenure Act (1997) says tenants like Sibanyoni cannot be evicted from the farm unless they have broken the law and attempted to harm the landowner.
The act gives people who have resided on a farm for more than 10 years and are over the age of 60 special rights to the land.
She said when she told Fleming she had nowhere to go, he said "he doesn't care, I can live on the mountains or on the road".
EFF, ANC take on farmer
THE threat of eviction has united political foes ANC and EFF against a farmer in KwaZulu-Natal.
A total of six families are facing possible eviction from a peach and livestock farm in Kokstad.
Noel Fleming bought the farm last year. Families living there say he has threatened to evict them.
The matter has been reported to the department of rural development and land reform, but the farmer has apparently increased his efforts in intimidating the farm tenant s.
The department's regional director, Phakamile Nobula, said when the matter was brought to their attention, they told Fleming that he could not evict the tenants without giving them alternative accommodation.
"He told us that the sale agreement he signed states that the tenants would move out. We have asked him to forward us that agreement and he has not done so," said Nobula.
He said the department would find legal representation for the affected families.
Fleming did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.
ANC councillor Tshidiso Mohlakoane yesterday said he told the families not to move.
"The issue of farm tenants being given a week's notice or being dumped in the middle of town is common in local farms. We want to put a stop to this because it is illegal," he said.
The EFF, which recently led a campaign to invade empty local farms, said it would march to the farm.
"We want to make an example [of] this farmer by marching to his farm next week and demarcating it for the farm tenants," the EFF's local leader Dumisani Dlamini said. "He came from Europe without land and he and his people stole the land from our people and now he has the audacity to chase our people away."
One of the residents facing eviction is Nomathemba Sibanyoni, 75, who has lived on the farm for 39 years.
The Extension of Security of Tenure Act (1997) says tenants like Sibanyoni cannot be evicted from the farm unless they have broken the law and attempted to harm the landowner.
The act gives people who have resided on a farm for more than 10 years and are over the age of 60 special rights to the land.
She said when she told Fleming she had nowhere to go, he said "he doesn't care, I can live on the mountains or on the road".
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos