Eskom has finalised plans to demolish more than a hundred illegally built homes in Thornville, in the Richmond Municipality.

When Eskom became aware of plans to build illegal homes on its land, it approached the Pietermaritzburg High Court, and on July 14, the court issued an order, instructing the illegal occupants to dismantle their homes within 48 hours of receiving the order. 

On 29 August, the court order, in English and Zulu, was served on those who had invaded or attempted to invade the land, and the court directed that, should the occupants fail to follow the order, the sheriff should carry out the eviction. 

The court also directed the Thornville Police Station to assist the sheriff and Eskom during the demolition and eviction.

The demolition, led by Eskom’s entity the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), will take place on portions 8 and 9 of Leliefontein, outside Pietermaritzburg.

According to the action plan, heavy machines such as TLBs, accompanied by heavily armed police, were scheduled to roll into the settlement to start flattening the big and small houses on Tuesday.

The operation was scheduled to be completed by November 14.

A police officer at the Thornville Police Station confirmed that the eviction operation was meant to start on Tuesday but was postponed.

Those who illegally built property on Eskom land say they were duped into paying between R 5,000 and R15,000 per plot on ERF 67 Thornville. 

Eskom acknowledged receiving a media inquiry but had not responded at the time of publication.

The power utility’s lawyer, Johan van der Merwe, of Haasbroek & Boezaart Attorneys, confirmed the postponement of the operation, but said he was not sure when it would be carried out.

“There were logistical issues that were not in place,” said Van der Merwe.

The Eskom lawyers sent a letter to the Thornville Police Station on November 7, informing the police about the November 11 operation.  

“We will all meet at Ariadne Substation at 7am for 7.30am. 

“As soon as all stakeholders are present, we will proceed to the execution site,” read the letter.

 The letter stated that Eskom had arranged for private security to be present “and kindly request that SAPS and POP (Public Order Police) assist during the eviction.” 

Eskom also sent a letter on November 5 informing the police station commander about the date of the operation. 

“We kindly request your presence and support during this period to safeguard the infrastructure and ensure overall site security throughout the demolition process,” read the letter from Elvis Xolani Mpanza, NTCSA’s Security Operations Officer.  

Eskom acquired the farm land some years ago to expand its Ariadne Substation.  

One resident who had completed building her two-room house expressed concern about losing her only asset. 

“I heard that Eskom was going to come today (November 11) to start demolishing, and I am very worried,” she said. 

According to another resident, Eskom acquired the land from a farmer to expand the Ariadne Substation. 

“At the time, there were six families who agreed to be relocated after Eskom compensated them.”

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