Thirteen arrested as Brandkop land occupation continues

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Thirteen alleged land invaders were arrested overnight at Brandkop farm near Lourierpark in Bloemfontein, Free State, where scores of people are occupying land illegally.

The arrested include ten men and three women.

Provincial police spokesperson Thabo Covane says they will appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon.

The illegal occupation continues today with more shacks being erected, despite a court interdict obtained last night by the Mangaung Metro.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, a crowd began to mark out stands and erect temporary structures, citing that requests for land allocation to the metro have fallen on deaf ears.

Tensions ran high as residents of Lourierpark tried to prevent the new occupants from settling on the land. The residents say the settlement will bring down the value of their bonded houses.

They have also raised concerns about the possibility of crime rising.

Mangaung Metro officials are meeting with stakeholders to map a way forward. The new occupants have threatened not to vote if they are forcefully removed.

Tensions rise in Pellissier, Bloemfontein as residents claim vacant land