Land Scam Alert: Residents Urged to Beware of Illegal Plot Sales in JB Marks
- Karen Scheepers
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
A recent public notice issued on 1 August 2025 has brought urgent attention to a concerning trend of illegal land transactions taking place within the JB Marks Local Municipality. Unscrupulous individuals, unaffiliated with the municipal government, have reportedly been involved in the fraudulent selling and allocation of municipal land, targeting several areas across both Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom regions.
Fraudulent Activity Spreading Across Multiple Areas
The areas flagged as being illegally targeted include:
Ikageng Extensions 9, 11, and 13
Mooidassie
Rockville
Hashtag
Promosa Extensions 2, 4, and 5
Tshing Extension 7 (note: this extension does not exist)
Tshing Extension 10
These locations appear to be the focus of coordinated land scams, where individuals pose as officials or intermediaries and sell municipal land to desperate or misinformed residents. In many cases, buyers are unaware that they are engaging in unauthorised and criminal transactions, which carry serious legal consequences.
Criminal Charges and Legal Risks
According to the municipality’s statement, these actions violate multiple provisions of South African law and are considered serious criminal offences. Any individual, whether acting as seller, facilitator, or buyer, may be held criminally liable for participating in such dealings. Authorities have emphasised that municipal land cannot be sold or allocated without proper authorisation, and any occupation of such land is unlawful.
Municipal land is earmarked for future development, service delivery infrastructure, and strategic planning. Unauthorised sales and occupations disrupt these plans and deprive law-abiding residents of access to essential services like housing, water, sanitation, and road infrastructure.
Law Enforcement Action Underway
The municipality confirmed that the matter has already been escalated to law enforcement authorities, and investigations are currently in progress. Those found responsible for orchestrating or benefiting from these land deals could face arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment.
In the meantime, the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious land-related activity immediately. Authorities are particularly concerned about how these scams exploit vulnerable residents seeking housing, especially in the wake of economic challenges and ongoing housing backlogs.
Public Reminder and Contact Information
Residents should be especially cautious if approached by individuals offering to sell municipal land or allocate plots without formal documentation. No one is permitted to sell, allocate, or occupy land without a valid process that includes approval from the JB Marks Municipality.
If you suspect illegal land transactions or need verification, contact the municipal offices at:📞 018 299 5776 / 5775 / 5779
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