Several families in Shayandima and Muledane villages near Thohoyandou in Limpopo have been left homeless after local authorities demolished a number of structures, claiming they were illegally built on municipal land.
The demolitions took place on Friday, reducing homes to rubble and leaving residents scrambling to salvage their belongings while searching for temporary shelter. Witnesses described scenes of distress as families, including children and elderly members, watched their homes being torn down.
A neighbour of one affected property said that the land in dispute does not belong to the Thulamela Local Municipality. He stated that the plot was originally given to his father by the chief, and after his father’s passing in 2011, it passed to his 79-year-old mother. The family claims to have documentation supporting their ownership.
The neighbour recounted phoning a pensioner who owns a nearby house that was demolished. The pensioner, who lives in Gauteng and is not based in the village full-time, had spent about two months building the structure with plans to retire there. According to the neighbour, the pensioner was shattered, surprised, and very angry upon learning of the demolition, requesting photos and video evidence.
The same resident said authorities had intended to demolish additional houses, including his own and that of another neighbour who also does not live there full-time. He claimed a police officer intervened, instructing the driver of the TLB (earthmoving machine) to stop further demolitions. The resident emphasised that the municipality provided no prior warning and had no court papers instructing residents to vacate.
He added that his mother, aged 79, was also shocked and in tears when informed about the events.
On the ground, residents expressed uncertainty about where they would sleep that night and what would become of the money and effort invested in the buildings. One structure shown belonged to the pensioner, who had hoped it would serve as a retirement home.
The Thulamela Local Municipality has maintained that the structures were built illegally on municipal land. No further official response from the municipality was immediately available in the on-site reporting.
Community members remain deeply affected, with many still processing the sudden loss of their homes.