Scores of families in Greytown in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands will spend tonight in open fields after they were evicted from a farm in which they lived for decades. 

About 20 families claimed that they have resided on the farm known as KwaMajayiva since 1981 after the previous owner allowed them to settle. 

The farm was recently bought by Pidelta Properties (PTY) LTD.

Immediately after buying the farm, the new owner took to the Greytown magistrate court to obtain an eviction order. The order was granted on January 23 this year and the local sheriff was authorised to eject the tenants.

Most of the tenants are in what is called the “married quarters” within the family. The quarters were used to accommodate men with wives and kids. 

One of the evicted tenants, who only identified himself as Khumalo, claimed that no notice was given to vacate the property.

“No notice was given to us to vacate the place, we saw them coming and they instructed us to take out our stuff. Right now, we have nowhere to go,” Khumalo claimed.

One woman who asked not to be named claimed that she had lived on the farm for 50 years after a white farmer known as Madolo allowed all his staff to live with their families within the property.

“I have lived here for 50 years and all of a sudden we are told to vacate the place. Actually, they told us that there is an ongoing court case that would be heard later this month, but then told us to leave,’” she said.

The woman complained that the eviction team was brutal to the extent that it insulted them. She also claimed during the eviction, they lost some of their stokvel money and their foodstuff was thrown away. 

“We have nowhere to go, we have lost our stokvel money. My child’s cellphone is missing and our stuff is broken and food is scattered all over,” the unnamed woman claimed. 

The local councillor of Ward 10, Sihle Bhengu from the IFP said they have learnt of the eviction and are appealing to the provincial government to step in and help the evicted people. 

“This matter shocked us as the owner of the farm brutally evicted the people. What is sad is that most people are at work and school, and when they come back they will find themselves homeless,’ Bhengu said.

Attempts to obtain comments from Pidelta failed as their contact details were not obtained by the African Times at the time of writing this story. Their side would be published once they have been located.