The eviction process of Mooibank informal settlements in Potchefstroom has been completed by the JB Marks Local Municipality in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District on Monday, 17 April 2023. The Municipality relocated the residents to an area between Promosa and Dassierand. This area is entirely different from the initial site identified by the Municipality approximately two weeks ago. The Municipality said they could not relocate residents to the Klipdrift area due to farmers claiming that the Klipdrift area is meant for agricultural rather than residential purposes.
Jeanette Tshite, the spokesperson of JB Marks Local Municipality Spokesperson, confirmed those as mentioned above, saying that relocating the former Mooibank residents started in the early hours of Monday, 17 April, and it was completed the very same day. This was because it was the last day of the 14 days extension of eviction that the Municipality asked for. Tshite further stated that the relocation process was led by the acting Mayor, Councillor Leon Musa Mkhabela, and the Acting Municipal Manager, Sandile Tjatja, together with the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development, as well as the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Their relocation comes after a court order obtained from the North West High Court by White farmers in the area to remove residents, saying the land is meant for agricultural purposes. These residents were expelled by JB Marks Local Municipality from Gugulethu in Ikageng two years ago to allow for the building of a school.
During the relocation, some residents were unhappy due to losing essential items such as identity documents and birth certificates. According to the evicted residents, this is due to how they were taken out of Mooibank.
Despite the disdain of most residents, Mamphare Pitso, a resident of the new area, is elated about the relocation, saying that she is grateful to have a more spacious place than the previous one. “Finally, we had our stands even though some residents of Promosa didn’t want us to come here,” she continued.
Another resident who is also happy said that they have hope that they will get essential services such as water.
According to the court order issued on 9 March 2023, Mooibank informal settlements residents were supposed to be evicted on Friday, 31 March 2023. However, in a meeting with the Sheriff on Wednesday, 29 March 2023, the JB Marks Local Municipality requested that the court order be extended by 14 days as of the meeting. This extension ended on Monday, 17 April 2023.
