A group of Highlands area farm dwellers has reached a stalemate in their efforts to use an old school building as a multi-purpose centre.
A group of Highlands area farm dwellers has reached a stalemate in their efforts to use an old school building as a multi-purpose centre.
The Highlands Community Concerned Group requested permission from current owner, James Thompson, to use the building.
They want the government to bring basic services to the people of the area.
They have proposed using it as a clinic, satellite police station, a skills development centre and for public meetings.
Speaking to Grocotts Mail, group chairperson, Ndumiso Nkonki, said various government departments and NGOs are keen to assist if permission is granted.
Nkonki claims the school building was being used as a community centre before Thompson bought the farm in 2003.
He alleges that former farm dwellers were removed and locked out, relocating them to former Spoornet properties, which they have to rent.
"People are dying in the area because ambulances take long to arrive when they are injured or sick," he said. "The mobile clinic comes once a month. Crime has sky-rocketed in the area. We desperately need the clinic and a strong police visibility".
The group gave Thompson 14 days to respond to their letter of appeal, but Nkonki said they haven't received a reply.
"The problem we are facing as the community of the area, is that we don't have our own land so that we can produce our own food and farm live stock in the area,” Nkonki said.
Speaking to Grocott’s Mail on Tuesday, farm manager, Chris Nortjie, said a meeting of his directors decided not to respond to the matter.
He also refused to speak to Nkonki in Grocott's Mail’s presence.
Thompson also refused to respond, threatening Grocott’s Mail with a court interdict.
"Stop harassing me and my staff with something that doesn't concern you people, or the public," he said, when approached for comment.
