Mix Camp eviction still on hold

LAWYERS for squatters at ‘Mix Camp’, 20 km north of Windhoek, are still negotiating with their counterparts representing the owners of the plot, who have initiated steps to evict around 3 000 people.

The Legal Assistance Centre defends the interest of the squatters, who have received notice from lawyers Koep and Company to leave the land they are occupying illegally or face eviction. Koep and Company represents Eluwa Lya Tenda Property – which bought the land from former owner, the late Heiner Mix.By the time the land changed hands, the squatters were already on the land.Mix had allowed some workers to settle on his property as far back as 1980.Since his death in 1999, the informal settlement has mushroomed in the absence of a landlord.The squatters claim that they had an agreement with Mix to stay on the 50-hectare plot.When they received the eviction notice recently, the squatters announced through the Legal Assistance Centre that they wanted to buy the land.Koep and Company represents Eluwa Lya Tenda Property – which bought the land from former owner, the late Heiner Mix.By the time the land changed hands, the squatters were already on the land.Mix had allowed some workers to settle on his property as far back as 1980.Since his death in 1999, the informal settlement has mushroomed in the absence of a landlord.The squatters claim that they had an agreement with Mix to stay on the 50-hectare plot.When they received the eviction notice recently, the squatters announced through the Legal Assistance Centre that they wanted to buy the land.