News

MEDIA STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 2 August 2025

Unlawful Land Occupation Prevented in Tulbagh

On the evening of Friday, 1 August 2025, Witzenberg Law Enforcement received a tip-off regarding an attempted unlawful occupation of open land in Tulbagh.

Upon arrival, officers encountered a group of individuals in the process of erecting informal structures on the site. Law Enforcement officers attempted to disperse the crowd peacefully.

However, officers came under attack by a few in the crowd who began throwing stones. In response, and by public safety protocols, rubber bullets were used to restore order.

Given the escalating situation, a multidisciplinary task team was activated.

The team comprised members from Witzenberg Law Enforcement, local security partners, Public Order Policing (POP), and the South African Police Service (SAPS). The joint response team worked in coordination to bring the situation under control and to prevent further unlawful activity.

The Witzenberg Municipality remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all residents. While we acknowledge the challenges related to housing and land availability, we urge residents to follow proper legal channels when seeking land or housing assistance.

An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

Issued by:

Witzenberg Municipality

For media enquiries, please contact:

Gerzell Baatjies

Media Liaison Officer

gerzell@witzenberg.gov.za