EFF opens unlawful eviction case against Ephraim Mogale Municipality

MARBLE HALL – On Saturday 7 February 2026, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Ephraim Mogale Sub-Region, joined by the community consultation forum, marched to the Marble Hall Police Station to open a case against the local municipality for the alleged unlawful removal of residents of Koteng Settlement.

During the protest, the party opened a case against Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM) the then Acting Municipal Manager, Tshepiso Maphutha, for allegedly conducting an unlawful eviction of Koteng residents.

On 28 January 2026 and 17 December 2025, the municipality removed the squatters from Koteng. During the time, the municipality claimed the settlement was located on municipal servitude, causing drainage blockages and making maintenance impossible.

The municipality claims the occupation also posed health and safety risks, as it was situated within a blasting zone and contributed to high crime rates in the area.

However, the EFF and affected residents claim the eviction was unlawful and without a court order, as required by the Prevention of Illegal Evictions From and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998.

According to EFF Ephraim Mogale Sub-Regional Secretary Mpho Maako, the march was organized to purely opening a criminal case against EPMLM and Maphutha, a statutory offence under section 8 (1) and (3) of the Prevention of illegal evictions Act 19 of 1998.

“The municipality is subject to the Prevention of Illegal Evictions From and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998, specifically Section 8(1), which governs such actions. We trust that justice will be served,” said Maako.

Maako provided additional context on the events leading to the eviction. “There were 903 South African residents who are registered by the Ephraim Mogale Municipality in the Koteng area. However, on 1 December 2025, the municipal manager issued an unsigned notice to the people with the council knowing. On 2 December 2025, they convened a council meeting where the discussion was about the removal of the residents of Koteng. The meeting was set to take a resolution to look at a place where they can move residents of Koteng. The alternative place was not provided, they misled the council,” insists Maako.

Maako detailed the actions taken by the municipality, adding that on 18 December 2025, they sent the police and bulldozers to remove Koteng residents by force.

He said the following day, another council meeting was convened after the municipality hearing that the EFF Sub-Regional leadership will open the case.

“Act 19 of 1998 criminalizes eviction without the court order, same as what happened to community of Koteng in Marble Hall. Section 3 of the same Act states clearly that anyone found guilty of such unlawful eviction may be fined or be imprisoned for up to 2 years,” warned Maako.

EPMLM Spokesperson, Life Nape, said there have been extensive discussions with Koteng residents and they also had a delegation prior to the evictions.

“They occupied the land without permission and some structures were built on municipal infrastructure, hindering maintenance work. The location of these structures made it challenging to perform necessary upkeep,” he said.

Nape insists that the notice was signed by the acting Municipal Manager and they were given a 15-day notice period.

“Many of the dwellers of Koteng where from nearby villages, with some having left their own homes. Some residents had been allocated RDP houses and left them, while others were teenagers who refused to obey their parents and many parents were relieved to see their children return home after the demolition. Unfortunately, some grandparents had been left to care for neglected children the mothers were saying in Koteng,” explained Nape.

He added that the removal of Koteng settlers has brought peace to the area, with a noticeable decrease in crime rates which can also be confirmed at Marble Hall Police Station.

“Regarding the alleged case, the municipality is unaware of any formal notification or case opened against us,” concluded Nape.