Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, says she has taken note of and respects the Pretoria High Court judgment relating to Marievale village residents.
On Wednesday, the court gave the SANDF 30 days to allow a group of civilians to return to their homes at the Marievale military training base near Nigel or to provide them with temporary alternative housing.
“To this extent, the department will abide by the ruling of the court,” the minister said in a statement.
Although it was clear that the civilians were staying on the base illegally, the SANDF had to follow the law and the Constitution, the court found.
The villagers, with the help of Lawyers for Human Rights, took the SANDF to court for violating their rights by forcefully evicting them without a court order in November last year. – SAnews.gov.za
