A task team has been established to ensure that a lasting solution is found to resolve the Knoflokskraal land occupation in the Theewaterskloof municipality in the Western Cape.
This as Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and the Western Cape Premier Alan Winde hosted an inter-governmental meeting in Cape Town to receive an update on the land occupation matter.
Friday’s meeting included all three spheres of government and members of the Knoflokskraal community to ensure open, transparent and inclusive engagement.
Knoflokskraal is situated just off the N2 highway between the towns of Grabouw and Botrivier.
The land in question is owned by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and was earmarked for forestry purposes by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.
It was first illegally occupied in 2020 and has since grown to approximately 4 000 structures.
In a joint media release by Winde and Macpherson, the team (with representatives of all spheres of government) has been tasked with resolving the matter in the interests of occupants, surrounding communities and other impacted stakeholders.
“We have met and decided to get to the bottom of this matter and will embark on a social facilitation process while also upping security on the land to ensure that further invasions do not occur during this process.
“This social facilitation process will commence in September 2025 and will ensure that the provincial and national governments have a better understanding of the individual circumstances of occupants and can plan a lasting solution,” the Minister said.
“Increased security will help containment efforts and is paramount to assisting the community and preventing further illegal activity on the land. At the same time, it is important to state that no one has the right to unlawfully occupy land, and the rule of law must be respected, while upholding the rights of all people involved.
“Occupations such as this only hinder the provision of dignified, permanent, and affordable housing in the long run,” said Premier Winde.
Community members who attended the meeting stressed economic challenges that resulted in land invasion was out of desperation. Some also claimed ancestral rights to the land, while acknowledging that certain land occupiers are there illegally.
At present there is no active, formal claim over the pierce of land in question.
“We are committed to engaging openly on this matter and are willing to listen to all sides. The Premier and I would like to express our gratitude to members of the community who attended the meeting and engaged government representatives in a constructive and amicable manner,” said Minister Macpherson. – SAnews.gov.za
