Residents of Mooibank outside Potchefstroom in the North West, have mixed feelings about relocating to a new place after a court order forced them to move from the land they have been occupying for two years.
Mooibank farmers petitioned the court to have the residents evicted because they claimed the land is for farming. The order which was effective on March 31, was extended for another fourteen days to allow the settlers to move.
Although they had no access to clean water and sanitation, the Mooibank residents said they got used to living there without basic services. And that their new location is far away from the city.
They also pointed out that it would be difficult to convince or get transport officials to change the school bus route from Mooibank to Ikageng Township where their children go to school.
Marky Kwenane said they did not wish to relocate to the new place called Klipdrift because the new place is far.
“Klipdrift is a remote location. We’re struggling now, but it’s going to become worse; we’ll have trouble affording transportation, and we may lose our jobs as a result,” she said.
However, Hlengiwe Norman said she is more than ready to move because the white farmers have made it obvious that they do not want them in their midst.
“We are constantly living in fear here, at least there I hear I will have my piece of land, therefore I am going there,” she said.
The JB Marks Local Municipality in the North West, has assured residents that the new land will be ready in the next fourteen days.
The spokesperson for the JB Marks Local Municipality Mayor Mandla Tawana said everything was in order.
“From today until Tuesday, we will be working with different government departments to make sure that the residents get relocated to a new place. The relocation process will be carried out by the department of agriculture, which will also carry out the relocation costs,” he said.
