MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – An attempted farm invasion was thwarted here by the local police. The attempt was followed by anonymous threatening phone calls to members of the management team on the farm.

The attempted invasion of the SAPECO-owned Mambedi River Estate took place on the public holiday on Wednesday last week, when a number of people moved onto the farm and started to stake out 48 plots, ready for occupation.

The General Manager: Macadamias at Mambedi, Mr Neil McLeod, confirmed this week that the incident was reported to the police, who reacted swiftly. Representatives of the invading group were informed that all the boundary stakes which they had planted had to be removed before Friday, April 29. This was done.

Mr McLeod said on Sunday and on Monday members of the management staff at Mambedi received anonymous, threatening phone calls. The police were notified.

On Monday this week a large herd of cattle were driven onto the property. Staff members intervened and intercepted the herd. The police was once again informed of the incident.

Mr McLeod confirmed that there was an attempted lands claim lodged against the property. A study was commissioned by Sapeco and a Prof Harmann investigated the claim. His report was handed to the Lands Claim Commissioner.

On Wednesday the Office of the MEC for Agriculture responded by stating that they were unaware of the incident. Mr Khathu Sadike, spokesperson for the MEC said that the MEC, Ms Dekeledi Magadzi would prefer to avail herself of more information regarding the incident before making any comment. He, however, reiterated the MEC’s recent statement during a meeting at the local show grounds that no such invasions would be tolerated as it constitutes a criminal act and that perpetrators will face the full force of the law. Mr Sadike expressed his surprise that in this particular incident the invaders were not arrested.