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Twelve families, settled by government near Hartebeesfontein in the North West, are disappointed with their living conditions. They form part of a group of farmworkers evicted from the Bleskopfontein farm, near Ventersdorp last year.
They lived in the Tshing Community Hall for seven months. The families were relocated in December to Qalo-Bosha informal settlement, outside Hartebeesfontein.
The families have called on the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development and Human Settlement Departments to keep their promise and relocate them to a better place.
Community representative Julius Moeketsi says, “Our rights have been infringed, we are from the farms and they have left us here without toilets and water. They know we have left our families because these houses are too small. So we want the government to fulfill their promises and we said to them that we want a piece of land so that we can plant something. If they cannot keep their promises, they better take us back where we come from.”
Meanwhile, the Rural Development and Land Reform Department say it has acquired a 205-hectare property worth over R1,4-million. Richard Sebolai, Director for Tenure Matters in the department, says they are conducting feasibility studies.
“We have received an approval to upgrade water infrastructure because water is still a challenge and also to build an additional 31 houses. Our unit that is responsible for post-settlement development is busy conducting a feasibility study to determine what kind of intervention can be done on this farm. So we will continue to engage the affected community in terms of programmes made regarding the development of the business plan.”
