GOVERNMENT ACTS ON KNOFLOKSKRAAL

Article and Pictures by Caroline Mokotedi

07 April 2026

At a press briefing held at the GCIS Imbizo Centre in Cape Town, the Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, outlined a clear plan to restore the rule of law at Knoflokskraal in the Western Cape. He was joined by Premier Alan Winde, Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers, and Theewaterskloof Mayor Lincoln de Bruyn.

Minister Macpherson explained that Knoflokskraal, a large piece of state-owned land near Grabouw, that has been unlawfully occupied since 2020. Over time, the occupation grew into a large and unregulated settlement, with thousands of structures and residents. He highlighted that earlier efforts by government to manage the situation had failed due to weak enforcement and lack of coordination, allowing the problem to worsen.

He raised serious concerns about alleged criminal activities on the site, including illegal land sales, intimidation, and organised operations. “Cases without consequence do not restore the rule of law,” he said, stressing that the lack of accountability had allowed lawlessness to grow and further added that the situation had become unsafe, with reports of violence, threats against officials, and even emergency services being unable to operate freely.

The Minister said government had now reached a point where decisive action was necessary. “We have reached a point where we must act to restore public confidence that the rule of law still matters,” he stated. He emphasised that public land could not be left vulnerable to unlawful occupation and criminal activity. Government announced a coordinated plan to address the crisis, focusing on containment of further expansion, social facilitation to better understand the community, and direct engagement with residents. Law enforcement would also be strengthened to ensure accountability and reassert control over the land. Minister Macpherson clarified that containment was not eviction, but a necessary step to stabilise the area and prevent further unlawful development.

The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to act within the law while restoring order. “The rule of law is not negotiable,” he said. “We will act in a way that is lawful, fair and transparent,” he added.