Vlakkeland pig farmers face uncertain future as municipality disputes eviction and development claims 

01 September 2026 | Intern Reporter: Sonwabile Luthango| Paarl

Piggery farmers in Vlakkeland, Paarl, say they are increasingly worried about the future of their farms and families amid uncertainty over the future use of the land they occupy.
Norman Mqolo, a pig farmer and representative of affected farmers, says there are currently 102 farmers recorded on their database, although he believes the actual number could be higher.
Mqolo says he has been farming in Vlakkeland since 2008, while other farmers were already operating in the area before his arrival.
According to Mqolo, the municipality previously promised the farmers alternative land in Gouda where they could continue farming. He says the promise was made in writing and that the farmers have documents supporting their claim.
However, Mqolo says the farmers were later informed that the Gouda land could not be used because of indigenous vegetation in the area, which he says has environmental and heritage significance.
The uncertainty has already had an impact on some farmers, according to Mqolo. He claims that some plots have been cleared, forcing farmers to keep their pigs in smaller areas.
He says the resulting overcrowding has contributed to illness among the animals, with some pigs allegedly dying.
For the farmers, the biggest concern is what will happen to their livelihoods if they are eventually required to leave Vlakkeland.
Municipality disputes claims
Drakenstein Municipality, however, has disputed several of the farmers’ claims.
In a response to Dizindaba, Seraj Johaar, Executive Director of Corporate and Planning Services at Drakenstein Municipality, said the Vlakkeland land had previously been identified for public facilities, including a school and clinic, as part of the Vlakkeland Human Settlements Project.
Johaar said there is currently no active development planned for the site.
The municipality also said it has not issued formal notices instructing the farmers to leave and has not told them that it intends to develop the land.
Regarding the proposed relocation to Gouda, the municipality said it had considered various options to support farming in Vlakkeland, including the Gouda property.
The municipality said the Gouda land is still being investigated to determine whether it could provide a long-term solution for the farmers. The investigations are considering environmental, agricultural and other relevant factors before any decision is made.
It did not confirm the farmers’ claim that the Gouda land is unavailable because of indigenous vegetation, saying instead that investigations are still underway.
The municipality also said it maintains a good working relationship with the Vlakkeland Farmers Committee and will continue engaging with farmers about their future.
It denied clearing plots in Vlakkeland, but said it is aware of concerns about conditions in the area.
According to the municipality, its aim is to improve conditions in Vlakkeland while working with farmers towards a sustainable, long-term solution.
For the farmers, however, questions remain about the security of their land, their livelihoods and where they will be able to continue farming if circumstances change.
Dizindaba is continuing to obtain the full historical context and supporting documentation relating to the farmers’ claims, including records concerning the proposed Gouda relocation and the history of land use in Vlakkeland.