Malema tells demolition-threatened villagers the EFF will put ‘land in your hands’

EFF leader Julius Malema was on the campaign trail in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, visiting, among other places, a village where homes were demolished over alleged illegal land occupation, and promised homeowners “land into your hands”.

EFF leader Julius Malema visited Bhongweni Village near King Phalo Airport, where homeowners have faced years of evictions and demolitions over alleged illegal occupation of state-owned land.

For many years, homeowners in Buffalo City’s Bhongweni Village, near King Phalo Airport, have faced threats of eviction and, in some instances, demolition of their housing structures by authorities who accuse them of illegally occupying the land.

Two weeks before the local government elections, he promised residents title deeds and vowed an EFF-led Buffalo City would never allow demolitions without authorities providing alternative land.

A 68-year-old homeowner who has feared demolition for years told Malema she would vote for the EFF for the first time.

“The EFF wants you to get title deeds,” Malema told homeowner Brenda Fuba, 68, during the door-to-door campaign in the village.

“This thing of you getting threatened with evictions is not right, because the legislation states that eviction authorities must find alternative land for the affected people,” said Malema.

“But I am living in fear, because I don’t know when the bulldozer is going to arrive and demolish my structure,” Fuba said.

“I have hope in Julius,” she said.