The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has warned poor communities to beware of “unscrupulous people” selling them land that belongs to the state.
|||Johannesburg - People who purchase land from bogus sellers will not only lose their money but will also be evicted from that land, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform warned on Sunday.
“Occupation of such illegally sold land constitutes illegal occupation and is a criminal offence,” said spokesperson Eddie Mohoebi.
The warning came after community members at Walmannsthal, north of Pretoria, were illegally sold land belonging to the state.
“It is unfortunate that unscrupulous people are exploiting desperately poor communities, who stand to lose the money they have paid to these unscrupulous characters... and are evicted from the land they are currently illegally occupying.”
Mohoebi said legal action had been taken against people who were occupying the land.
He said the department would approach the registrar of the high court for a hearing date to seek a final order to ensure that people who were illegally occupying land at Walmannsthal were evicted with immediate effect. - Sapa