"The land that protestor are demanding to oppy is earmarked for commercial use"- Makana Mayor, Yandiswa Vara digs in heels as Makhanda residents demand land occupation

Residents of Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape have closed down businesses and shutdown schools as they embark on protest action to the town's City Hall building. They are demanding that vacant land near R67 which is locally known as eGalfini be given to them to occupy. Attempts of dialogue between local municipal officials and the residents have proven fruitless as locals woke up to burning tyres and blockaded road earlier today. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Community leader, Siphosethu Ntshoko and Makana Mayor, Yandiswa Vara