East London – In a dramatic public statement, local security company owner Mr. Simphiwe ‘Gabs’ Mtshala has broken his silence over the incarceration of Ms. Yakhe Kwinana, a landowner arrested in what he describes as a deeply flawed legal and social injustice. Mtshala, who has been directly involved in the saga, issued a powerful statement defending Kwinana and providing a detailed account of events surrounding the contentious land dispute in Bhongweni, near East London Airport.
“I don’t normally comment on social media,” Mtshala began, “but I can’t sleep or keep quiet while an innocent woman is in prison for defending her property and land.”
According to Mtshala, Ms. Kwinana legally owns a farm in Bhongweni, which became the target of illegal occupation by land invaders. Despite approaching the police and local authorities, Kwinana was allegedly told she had to handle the matter herself, as the land was privately owned. This led her to pursue a legal route, obtaining multiple court and eviction orders — all of which were met with resistance by the occupants.
“She sent the Sheriff numerous times, but the invaders refused to move. She couldn’t even visit her own land without being chased away by armed groups,” Mtshala said.
Mtshala says Kwinana then contracted his private security company to escort her safely onto the land. However, they were quickly confronted by a hostile mob. “They blew a whistle and within minutes we were surrounded. We had to act to secure the area.”
The evictions, Mtshala claims, were lawful, yet some occupants filed counter-cases of harassment — all of which Kwinana reportedly won in court. Still, the invaders remained, some having built homes, flats for rent, or even leased the land to informal traders and spaza shop operators.
“Yakhe pays the municipal rates and service fees. Meanwhile, others profit from her land, using illegal water and electricity connections,” he said.
Mtshala insists that the charges of extortion brought against Kwinana are baseless. “Some invaders offered to pay rent while they negotiated with the government to buy the land. Now people are calling that extortion. Is rent now extortion?” he asked rhetorically.
He further alleged that some of the individuals occupying the land are not destitute but well-connected figures — including senior police officers, politicians, and government officials — who use their influence to shield the illegal occupation.
“She’s not the only Black woman whose land has been invaded in that area. Others have also been left helpless while the government looks away,” Mtshala stated.
In a striking admission, Mtshala said he accepts responsibility for his role in the events, but not for wrongdoing: “I am to blame in this case. I am the target. But the missile missed and hit the wrong person — collateral damage.”
Mtshala described land invasions in East London as a growing, organized syndicate operation, accusing invaders of selling plots to unsuspecting buyers and moving from one property to another with impunity. “Police and government know these syndicates exist, but they’re not arrested. The legal process is expensive, exhausting, and often ignored.”
He also addressed accusations that his company uses illegal firearms and that Kwinana is linked to extortion in the taxi industry. “I own a legally registered security company. We’re fully compliant. These are lies being spread to taint our names.”
Mtshala concluded his statement by expressing unwavering support for Kwinana. “No matter how many days or months she stays in prison, the fact remains — she owns that land. And that will never change.”
He warned that the treatment of landowners like Kwinana sets a dangerous precedent. “If this is what liberation means, then we fought for the wrong reasons,” he said. “If my company were owned by a white South African, Yakhe wouldn’t be in this situation.”
“Viva Yakhe Kwinana. Stay strong,” he added in closing.
Simphiwe Mtshala is a private security entrepreneur and has worked closely with landowners in the Eastern Cape. His statement highlights serious concerns over land rights, state inaction, and systemic bias in the handling of land disputes
