Members of a farm, formerly owned by the Oppenheimer family near Hartebeespoort Dam in North West, are facing eviction. The farmworkers have been living there for over four decades. This despite having reported the matter to the Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Department.
The community has expressed disappointment at the manner in which the department is handling the reported cases of eviction threats and harassment by the farm’s new caretaker.
The department says long-term residence on farms doesn’t automatically translate to land ownership. Deborah Raduba from the Lawyers for Human Rights says there’s legal recourse for such communities.
“In those instances where your water is cut off the electricity is cut off or your privacy is constantly invaded, that’s what we call a constructive eviction in those instances there are resources available you either have to go to court to get an interdict or a spoliation order and in order to do that you would need to approach a lawyer. You can do so if you’re staying in a farming area by approaching the Department of Rural Development or legal aid. You can also approach the South Africa Human Rights Commission for assistance or you can contact organisations like the lawyers for human rights,” Raduba explains.
