Durban - A criminal charge was laid against EFF members on Monday after party members from Shaka’s Head near Stanger invaded private land in Ballito at the weekend.
The invaders started building shacks on land destined for development between the N2 highway and the R102 early on Sunday.
Police dispersed the group on Monday morning and the structures were demolished. Police and private security remained at the farm to prevent the invaders returning to rebuild.
Attorney Jon de Wet, who represents the owners, Greenfield Property, said they would apply for a Durban High Court interdict today to prevent any further invasions.
De Wet said the land was earmarked for a commercial development and the owners were going through processes such as the environmental impact assessment.
Ballito councillor Malcom Hubner said the invaders had a piece of paper from the KwaDukuza Municipality which gave them access to land, “but the land is in Groutville and apparently they are not happy”.
Police spokesman Jay Naicker said: “A case of trespassing has been opened for investigation.
“No arrests have been made and investigations are continuing.”
The planned development is called Greenlands Town Centre and seven commercial properties will be built.
Hubner said people started dividing the land into stands at 6am on Sunday. There were about 40 people and by Monday the number had increased to about 100.
Hubner said this was an electioneering stunt, as opposed to a major land grab.
“They are trying to get a position for themselves in terms of who the EFF is in this area.”
He said locals came to see what was happening, but there was no aggression.
The Mercury