Nelisiwe Skhosana and Simphiwe Jennifer
Moloto – The Moloto Communal Property Association (CPA) has warned residents against falling victim to ongoing fraudulent land sales on portions of the Jakkalsdans 243 JR and Hartebeestpruit 235 JR farms under the City of Tshwane, overlapping to the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.
The CPA said it has faced illegal stand sale on its land since 2018 when members first noticed the shacks erected on CPA-owned property. The association, established under the Communal Property Association Act (Act 28 of 1996), legally owns portions of the land at both farms.
However, the CPA says its name and authority have been exploited by individuals falsely claiming to have the right to allocate or sell stands. “We are told they are posing as chiefs,” said the CPA’s Lenhle Moripe. “We do not sell stands. We always advise our community members to do their due diligence to avoid being defrauded.”
The scam appears to be ongoing, with advertisements for illegal land sales even appearing on social media. “They lose their money. As it stands, they are unlawful occupants,” said Moripe, adding that at least one victim approached the Small Claims Court and was successfully refunded through a court order.
While the association admits it is difficult to trace fraudsters or contact affected victims, it remains committed to protecting communal land and promoting transparency. “Our message is clear: no one has the authority to sell our land. We will continue to protect our property and the rights of our community,” Moripe said.
To curb the fraud, the association has opened criminal cases against individuals involved in the illegal sales and its working with government departments and law enforcement.
