CAPE TOWN - Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson vowed that land grabs would not be allowed on his watch.
He was giving an update on the ongoing land invasion in Grabouw, where over 4,000 people have settled illegally.
The land was first unlawfully occupied in 2020, during the height of Covid-19.
Macpherson said what began as a small occupation has expanded over time and has now grown into an unsanctioned, large-scale settlement on state-owned land.
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The minister said an estimated population of between 15,000 and 20,000 people reside on the 1,800 hectares of land.
"The scale of the occupation is not the only concern. The far more serious issue is what has taken root in the absence of effective law enforcement and intervention. At present, Knoflokskraal is a space where, in many respects, the rule of law simply does not exist," Macpherson said.
He said there have been instances where department officials have been unable to access parts of the site for inspections.
"In effect, there are areas within Knoflokskraal that are off limits to the department, which is the lawful custodian of the land. That is deeply concerning for any democratic government to be in, and it is frankly unprecedented," Macpherson said.