Download the Pondoland Times app for breaking Eastern Cape news, community updates, jobs, and important stories from around you.
- Condemnation of Forceful Evictions by EFF: The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Eastern Cape have strongly condemned recent forced evictions and home demolitions in eBompini and the Julius Malema Settlement, viewing these acts as unjust.
- Deployment of Red Ants in the Eastern Cape: The Red Ants, known for violent eviction practices in other provinces, were deployed for the first time in the Eastern Cape by the Agricultural Research Council, allegedly under government approval.
- Residents’ Land Rights and Historical Settlement: Residents, who have lived on the land since the 1950s, are considered rightful custodians under the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, with questions raised about the legitimacy of the land transfer to the ARC.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Eastern Cape have condemned the recent forced evictions and demolition of homes in eBompini and the Julius Malema Settlement, Buffalo City Municipality.
The party says the Red Ants, known for violent evictions in Gauteng and the Western Cape, were deployed for the first time in the Eastern Cape by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), an entity of the Department of Agriculture. The EFF alleges this move was sanctioned under Minister John Steenhuizen’s leadership.
According to the EFF, the affected families have lived on the land since the 1950s, decades before the ARC’s acquisition in 1994. The party argues the residents are rightful custodians of the land under the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA), and that the Department of Land Reform has questioned the legitimacy of the land’s transfer to the ARC.
The demolitions have also impacted the Julius Malema Settlement, an extension of eBompini named in honour of the EFF leader. The party claims the Red Ants were not cited in court documents, making their actions unlawful.
The EFF is calling for the immediate withdrawal of the Red Ants, an end to demolitions, and government intervention to secure the land rights of the historic residents.
