Parliament, Saturday, 26 November 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment yesterday resolved that there should be no removal of the 4 000 people currently occupying Knoflokskraal outside Grabouw.
The committee met with all relevant stakeholders, including representatives from the Khoisan community, the South African Police Service, the Theewaterskloof Municipality, and the departments of Public Works and Infrastructure and of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment. All parties agreed that no people or additional groups will be allowed to join the residents currently occupying the land.
Knoflokskraal residents were represented by traditional leader Queen Fazlin van der Schyf, who informed the committee that they were not illegally occupying land, as it was previously owned by their ancestors.
Following discussions and report-backs from other stakeholders, the meeting committed to approach the South African Human Rights Commission to assist with resolving the issues related to the provision of water and basic sanitation services. The meeting also resolved that the technical committee established by the Public Works department must immediately include representatives from the Knoflokskraal community and the local and district municipalities.
In addition, there will not be any attempt to forcefully remove the current residents; the police must build and foster good relations with the community; a way forward must be agreed upon in consultation with the Knoflokskraal residents; and the committee must be provided with quarterly progress reports.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Faith Muthambi, thanked all the participants and expressed her confidence that the Knoflokskraal issue will be resolved. Adding, that only through working in an integrated and coordinated manner will government resolve the Knoflokskraal land issue.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT, MS FAITH MUTHAMBI.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Committee Chairperson, please contact:
Name: Brent Simons
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 062 503 2310
E-mail: bsimons@parliament.gov.za
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