The usually quiet and peaceful hamlet of Greyton has been rocked by violent clashes over the past two days between shack dwellers and residents of Bereaville.
Beneficiaries of a land restitution claim had obtained a court order for the removal of shacks which had been built on part of their land near Genadendal.
Security guard Sikoliwe Makhaya, 25, said he, along with many shack dwellers, were chased off the land where many had been living for over 10 years.
“They were telling us we must leave the land and go back to the Eastern Cape. Many people were hurt, women and children too, including my sister whose leg was broken,” said Makhaya.
Last night those who had been displaced where moved to the Greyton Eco Lodge.
“There was a court document sent to us earlier this month saying we must leave the land, and today people came with the police. Where must we go? They destroyed our homes and we are not allowed to return to collect our things,” he said.
South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) representative Raymond Nomgxaza said the shack dwellers were promised assistance by Theewaterskloof mayor Christelle Vosloo two weeks ago at a community meeting.
Yesterday they did not get any response from the Theewaterskloof Municipality after the violence, said Nomgxaza.
George Juries, who represents the beneficiaries of farm 39, which consists of Bereaville, Voorstekraal, Bosmanskloof and Genadendaand, said the claimants have been battling for over 20 years to secure the land.
“I was there on Sunday and this is not about race but the prolonged restitution process of the almost 5000-hectare piece of land.
“This land does not belong to the municipality, but we, the beneficiaries. have a right to protect what is ours,” said Juries.
He said while they patiently awaited their restitution process to be finalised by national government, migrant workers had been slowly increasing in numbers, and much of the blame must be placed on the municipality and commercial farmers
“We went to court and received our court order because structures continued to be built, even after continued meetings with the migrant workers explaining the situation.
“This was a land invasion, which is why the police were there, as new structures were being built. Things escalated when those with tools attacked our people first,” said Juries.
He said one woman’s arm was severely injured, another man’s back required stitches after he was hit with a shovel, and this resulted in the retaliation.
Juries said there were those escalating the situation for political benefit, while they, the beneficiaries were only protecting their heritage.
A Theewaterskloof spokesperson said their officials and mayor had entered the Bereaville area, along with police, to meet with members of both groups.
Discussions continued last night and the municipality could not provide comment by deadline.