Naledi and Lesedi residents caught between eviction threats and relocation promises

MIDDELBURG — Residents of Naledi and Lesedi, south of Middelburg, continue to face uncertainty over their housing status as eviction proceedings loom, while government officials promise possible relocation plans. The two communities are facing eviction after mining company Seriti indicated that residents are illegally occupying its property.

In April last year, Seriti disconnected electricity supply to the area in an effort to pressure residents to vacate the properties. With demolition plans now underway, families are waiting to see whether government intervention will provide a long-term solution.

On 30 April 2026, MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Speedy Mashilo, met with affected residents to hear their concerns.

“The residents indicated their willingness to explore the idea of relocation and resettlement,” said department spokesperson Freddy Ngobe.

“The MEC has requested Seriti to suspend its eviction proceedings and give him the opportunity to intervene.”

Ngobe added that there was “no need for emergency housing” because the department intended to resettle residents to a new development with bulk infrastructure and amenities such as schools, clinics and fire stations.

He further stated that electricity was the only service disconnected, and that MEC Mashilo had undertaken to engage Seriti regarding the possible restoration of supply while long-term plans were being developed.

“The MEC is currently mediating and has committed to resettle the affected communities,” he said, adding that government and the private sector would address the housing matter once the terms of reference had been finalised.

Ngobe also said the department and municipality had completed a preliminary verification process of beneficiaries. “Some will receive government-subsidised houses, while others will receive serviced stands. The process is ongoing,” he said.

The Highveld Chronicle sent follow-up questions to the department regarding the location of the proposed development, the number of residents expected to be resettled, how many households would qualify for subsidised housing and how many would receive serviced stands. However, the department had not responded by the time of publication.

The dispute dates back more than 20 years. When BHP Billiton — which operated as Middelburg Mine Services and later became South32 before the assets were sold to Seriti — attempted to donate more than 400 houses to the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, the municipality declined.

The municipality reportedly argued that the company first needed to upgrade the ageing infrastructure and transfer ownership of the houses to residents before any handover could take place.

Residents remain sceptical about the timing of the department’s intervention.

“As much as we need help, this issue has been ongoing for years. So why is action only being taken now?” said Elliot Khoza, representative of Naledi and Lesedi residents.

Khoza added that many of the officials involved, including the MEC, belong to the same political party, raising concerns that the residents’ situation could be used to advance political campaigning ahead of the 4 November elections.

“For now, we can’t make definitive statements,” he said. “We’ll watch to see whether the department is sincere about its promises, or if this is just advancing a party agenda.”

Seriti told the Highveld Chronicle that although discussions with the department had taken place, no agreement had been reached to suspend eviction proceedings.

“Seriti is proceeding with the lawful processes available to it as the registered owner of the properties,” the company said.

The mine further indicated that it had engaged various stakeholders regarding electricity challenges in the villages.

“The electrical infrastructure in the villages has been vandalised over a significant period of time and will require extensive repair work. The mine can no longer sustain the financial and operational burden of maintaining the infrastructure and servicing the villages, hence its participation in the relocation process suggested by the MEC,” Seriti said.

Seriti added that its position is informed by its legal rights and obligations as the registered property owner, as well as its environmental rehabilitation responsibilities.

“The current occupants are illegally occupying the houses and public buildings in the villages without valid lease agreements. Seriti is therefore preparing a formal eviction application in the appropriate court,” the company said.

For now, families in Naledi and Lesedi remain in limbo, caught between the threat of demolition and the hope that government’s relocation plans will materialise before they lose their homes.

Caption: According to Seriti, discussions with the department took place, but no agreement was reached to halt the eviction process. Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga CoGHSTA department could not confirm where residents would be relocated.