Three local government officials have allegedly been implicated in a recent land grab campaign, which saw almost 2000 stands being illegally allocated to residents.

Sowetan previously reported that some residents in Modimolle in Limpopo's Waterberg district were illegally giving away free stands on municipal-owned land with the backing of the EFF.

When Sowetan visited the area on Monday some people had already begun clearing vegetation around their stands and erecting shacks.

Yesterday, DA leader in the province, Jacques Smalle, said they had submitted three names of officials in the municipality who participated in the land grabs.

Smalle said they were in possession of evidence, including photographs showing state vehicles had been parked at the site and that certain employees of the municipality were among those who had gone forward to claim the stands.

He said although the DA was the governing party in the area, it was up to the administration of the municipality to take disciplinary steps against the implicated officials.

"We have highlighted to the municipal manager what transpired and we are expecting the administration to move forward with disciplinary hearings," Smalle said.

He said they had reached a number of resolutions following meetings with the provincial leadership of the EFF, stating that people should no longer occupy land illegally.

"We don't really want to interdict the community at this stage. But if there are people who continue to disregard the law, we will have no choice," Smalle warned.

He said they were now looking into having the area assessed by a town planer to determine possibilities of developing the land for residential use. In the meantime, people must refrain from occupying it.

But community leader Alfred Maremane said they had been informed during a meeting with EFF provincial secretary Jossey Buthane that the land now belonged to them.

"The outcome of the meeting was positive. We were told that the land has been approved for us to stay. People are extremely happy about this," Maremane said.

He said they were also informed that a town planner would be sent to the area with the view of developing housing, clinics, schools and other public facilities.

Buthane confirmed he announced to the people that the land now belonged to them. He said residents had been advised not to erect shacks to allow for proper allocation processes to unfold while the matter is also being processed in council.

Buthane said this was to avoid a situation of shacks being erected on areas where developments such as roads were supposed to be.

Mayor for the Lim 368 municipality Marlene van Staden said the officials involved in the land grab would face disciplinary action.

"Officials of the municipality will be disciplined by the municipal manager. I cannot confirm how many names were handed in as they were not submitted to me, but directly to the municipal manager," Van Staden said.

She said they would hold a mass community meeting to inform people to respect process and refrain from illegal occupations.

"It was decided that a legal process will be followed to allocate land to people that qualify and that need it. Council will resolve on municipal property that can be used for this purpose."

mahopoz@sowetan.co.za