Makana Local Municipality has opened a land invasion case after a large group of residents started a process of demacating sites for purposes of erecting informal structures/build houses on land that is zoned for commercial use in Makhanda.
Over a thousand residents converged on vacant land near the R67 on Sunday, 27 July 2025 to start demacating sites erecting poles for the purposes of building informal structures. The area was a hive of activity as cars drove in and out with building material in hand. Municipal officials and councillors led by the Executive Mayor visited the scene to engage the residents. SAPS members were present at the site to ensure that the situation did not get out of control.
Makana Municipality Executive Mayor Cllr Yandiswa Vara faced the agitated crowd and calmly explained the reasons why the residents cannot build houses on the land. The Executive Mayor explained to the residents that the land they wanted to occupy had been earmarked for business developments and that they were not allowed to build on that land.
Despite the explanation given by the Executive Mayor, the residents insisted that they would forcefully build houses on the land. Among the issues raised during the meeting in support of the illegal land occupation were the lack of housing developments for local people. In an attempt to deescalate the situation the residents were advised to form a committee which would formally engage with the municipality on a way forward on the need for housing developments.
The municipality opened the door for more engagement in hopes of finding an amicable solution to the problem. More updates will be issued as the developments unfold.
Sam Busa