Gatvol residents occupy municipal land in Matlosana

Staff Writer / Wed, 07 October 2026

Angry residents from several communities in the Matlosana area in the North West have occupied municipal land, saying they are frustrated by a lack of housing while serviced land remains unused.

Residents from Jakaranda, Sunnyside, Extension 19 and Sonor Water have occupied land at Extension 2 of Matlosana Estates near Klerksdorp.

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Community leader Xolani Tshabalala says the occupation is aimed at putting pressure on the City of Matlosana to address what residents describe as a shortage of housing and basic services.

“We can no longer be homeless or watch serviced residential areas go to waste while our people suffer,” Tshabalala says.

He says residents are also concerned about land in Jakaranda Extension 10C, which was initially earmarked for a high school and a community park.

Tshabalala says there are now concerns that the land could be rezoned for residential development.

He says children in Jakaranda are forced to travel long distances to schools in other areas and rely on scholar transport.

According to Tshabalala, some learners have missed school when transport services were allegedly suspended because of outstanding payments.

He also claims that infrastructure and water services at Extension 2 have been in place for years, but have been vandalised while the land remained vacant.

One resident, who asked not to be named, says the occupied land should be used to provide homes for families living in vulnerable conditions.

She says some families from Sunnyside and surrounding areas live in flood-prone areas and need safer accommodation.

However, the municipality says the occupation is illegal.

Matlosana municipal spokesperson Kelebogile Moleko says the Directorate of Planning and Human Settlements is aware of social media posts allegedly calling on residents to occupy land at Extensions 2 and 9 of Matlosana Estates.

Moleko identifies Tshabalala as an independent Ward 15 candidate in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

She says Tshabalala has no authority to allocate municipal land.

“Xolani has not been authorised to allocate municipal land. His actions to enter, occupy and allocate municipal land parcels is illegal,” Moleko says.

The municipality has warned that it will remove illegal structures erected on the land and confiscate material used to construct them without notice.

Tshabalala, however, says residents will continue to demand access to housing, schools and basic services.

The residents’ occupation comes amid ongoing concerns over access to adequate housing and the use of municipal land in the Matlosana area.

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