Eskom land up for grabs?

A rumour that property adjacent to the Ellisras Hospital in Onverwacht is up for grabs saw people flock to the site since Sa-turday to plot off pieces of prime property for themselves! The property belonging to Eskom has for the past few months housed hundreds of illegal squatters.
On Saturday people hoping to own a piece of land in Onverwacht started gathering at the site. According to one of the “land grabbers” it was the Mayor of Lephalale, Jack Maeko, who allegedly told residents that they could take the land for themselves.
Northern News witnessed several people plotting off property by digging holes to mark property boundaries.
According to a source in the Mayor’s office Maeko denies any involvement. He reportedly met with the Lephalale police on Saturday to assist in the matter. The Mayor visited the site again on Tuesday and told the crowd that the land belongs to Eskom and that any form of occupation is illegal.
Municipal manager, Bob Naidoo, told Northern News that the onus rests on Eskom to apply for a court interdict to remove illegal settlers living on the property. He added that Eskom’s national managerial team is aware of the situation and legal advice is being sought.
“We are aware of the situation and will seek an amicable solution,” said Eskom’s Project Support and Externalities Manager, Nthabiseng Malebo.