Parliament, Friday, 21 March 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, has expressed deep concern over reports that illegal land grabs have resumed in Fort Jackson in the Buffalo City Municipality near East London in the Eastern Cape.
There are disturbing allegations that uniformed members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Correctional Services officials are actively involved in that organised criminality.
Mr Cameron stated that the situation in Fort Jackson is no longer a case of landless individuals seeking shelter but rather a well organised, high-value extortion racket. The land, estimated at over 1,000 hectares, has allegedly been subdivided into 15,000 illegal plots of 300 square metres each and sold for approximately R50,000 per plot amounting to R75 million in unlawful land sales.
In addition to these sales, households are reportedly being charged “protection fees” of R1,000 each for illegal Eskom and water connections, further exacerbating the criminality and undermining municipal systems.
Even more concerning is that two separate court orders prohibiting these land grabs are being openly ignored. “This is exactly why the committee regards the erosion of property rights and the rule of law as an urgent national crisis,” Mr Cameron said.
Previously, police arrested known instigators including individuals linked to the taxi industry, and the Minister of Police publicly commended those efforts. However, since charges against those individuals were withdrawn, the illegal activity has resumed reportedly with renewed confidence and visible collusion from certain SAPS and Correctional Services officials.
Mr Cameron said an oversight visit of the committee to the Eastern Cape next week, will focus specifically on the growing crisis of extortion and organised land grabs. The visit will include engagements with SAPS leadership, local stakeholders, and affected communities.
Mr Cameron has issued an urgent call to SAPS management to act decisively. “SAPS members who collude with criminal networks, ignore court orders, and participate in illegal land sales must be held accountable. They must be arrested, charged, and dismissed without delay. The rule of law cannot bend to extortionists—especially not when those enabling them wear the uniform of the state,” Mr Cameron said.
The committee reiterates its commitment to improving public trust in the criminal justice system and ensuring that law enforcement upholds the Constitution, rather than enabling those who violate it.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON
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