Former Klein Akker residents are back in court fighting against yet another farm eviction order.

The Cape Argus reports the group of about 77 people – members of the Mesco Farm Workers Co-operative Ltd – has been living on a state-owned farm just outside Kraaifontein for two years.

Attorneys for the state’s tenant, Ricmal Green (Pty) Ltd, presented their case to Western Cape High Court Judge Deidre Kusevitsky, arguing they were not oblivious to the plight of the occupants, ‘but what was supposed to be a temporary measure started to look permanent with the different inter-government bodies not moving quickly enough to source alternative accommodation for the farm-bound residents who were placed smack-bang in the middle of the farm’.

Ricmal Green’s advocate, Casper Maree, argued that while the situation was sensitive, it was wholly unfair to his client, who now had to provide on his leased property for the group.

Kusevitsky said she understood why the Mesco residents had not been relocated as originally planned.

This was due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Full Cape Argus report (subscription needed)