Govt vows decisive action amid unlawful land occupation in Western Cape
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has announced a coordinated plan to restore the rule of law at Knoflokskraal in the Western Cape, warning that the situation on the state-owned land has become “unsustainable” after years of unlawful occupation and weak enforcement.
Speaking at a media briefing in Cape Town on Tuesday, Macpherson said government had reached a turning point and could no longer allow the erosion of law and order on public land.
"We have reached a point where we must speak plainly about matters regarding the rule of law on state-owned land and decisively, to restore public confidence that the rule of law still matters. At its heart, this is what today is about. It is about the rule of law."
Knoflokskraal, a 1,800-hectare property near Grabouw, was originally intended for forestry development but has been unlawfully occupied since 2020.
The site has since grown into a large informal settlement with around 4,000 structures and an estimated population of up to 20,000 people.
Macpherson said the crisis was the result of years of failed implementation despite ongoing engagement efforts.
"While there was engagement, there was not enough implementation. While there were processes, there were not enough outcomes. And while the state was talking, the occupation was growing rapidly."
He added that the lack of coordinated action across government departments and weak law enforcement allowed the situation to deteriorate significantly, with some areas now effectively beyond state control.
The minister raised serious concerns about alleged criminal activity on the site, including illegal land sales, intimidation, and drug-related operations.
"Cases have been opened, but accountability has not followed. They risk reinforcing the perception that unlawful activity can continue without accountability, yet there has been little to no meaningful progress in those investigations," he said.
Macpherson said evidence shows that vulnerable individuals are being misled into illegal land sales.
"What we are seeing is the exploitation of vulnerable people – individuals who may believe they are securing land, when in reality they are being sold something that no one has the legal right to sell. It is people being misled into paying for land under false pretences."
Despite extensive negotiations with community leaders, he said government efforts to reach a peaceful resolution were unsuccessful.
"Government negotiated in good faith, reached an understanding in good faith, and then found that the other side had reneged on that understanding. That is deeply regrettable because government came to that process willing to engage, willing to listen, and willing to find a lawful and peaceful way forward," he said.
Government will now implement a structured intervention plan focused on containment, social facilitation, and direct engagement with residents. Macpherson stressed that containment measures are not evictions but a necessary step to stabilise the area.
"Containment is not eviction. Containment is the act of restoring order to a site that has been allowed to expand in a largely uncontrolled manner. It is the prerequisite for any meaningful intervention."
He emphasised that restoring the rule of law is central to the government’s approach and that decisive action will now follow.
"We will act lawfully. We will act carefully. We will act based on evidence. We will act in a way that is fair, transparent, and defensible. But we will act. because the rule of law is not negotiable."
Authorities say further steps will include stronger law enforcement, improved coordination between government agencies, and direct communication with residents as part of efforts to regain control of the land and restore stability.
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