Tsumeb
Informal settlers at the squatter settlement of Kuvukiland in Tsumeb have in recent months spread out to invade land in an area demarcated for mining.
But the land invasions came to a grinding halt late on Tuesday as Weatherly International Plc that owns the land started evicting 40 of the invaders.
Weatherly officials informed the group the land is in an area being prepared for mining operations that will commence soon.
New Era visited the area where visibly worried residents were cutting trees to make way for shacks they had wanted to build.
Some were afraid to talk to the press as they feared this could attract unnecessary attention.
Kuvukiland sprung up on April 15 2009 when people planted a pole on the hill as an indication they wanted to stay in the area as they were tired of paying rent in overcrowded Soweto.
They started clearing the area to the northwest of the mining company’s land and moved there with their families apparently to be more independent. However, many have now built houses on land that has been cordoned off for mining.
Kuvukiland has since grown to 7 000 people according to a survey conducted by the municipality.
On Tuesday police roamed the area but they would not say why they were there.
An official from Weatherly working for Tchudi mine said that in a few days’ time quantity surveyors would be helping the company prepare for future mining operations.
Kuvukiland residents feel migrants from neighbouring farms and other towns filled up the shanty town , leaving little space for Tsumeb residents.
They say they tried approaching the municipality but were unsuccessful in getting any answers as to how they could solve the land issue.
One of the settlers Rachel Hanes said demand for land is so high that one man sold a single plot to at least four people who each paid N$700.
When the man only identified as “Congo” was contacted for comment he denied being involved in such a scam. He further said that whoever spread the rumour was “crazy”.