Bophuthatswana drops squatting charges against Bosplaas residents

Date: 11 Oct 1985
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

The 'homeland' government of Bophuthatswana under the presidency of Chief Lucas Mangope decides to withdraw its squatting charges against the Bosplaas residents, indicating possible political settlement between them. The Bosplaas residents were arrested for squatting under the Land Control Act of 1983, which made squatting illegal for people without Bophuthatswana residence permits or identity books. This law was a strategy applied by the Bophuthatswana government to make people recognise its 'independence' from South Africa. Though the charges were dropped, the Bophuthatswana police continued to arrest and intimidate this squatter community.

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01Weekly Mail Reporter. (1985). "Bop drops 'no squatting' charges",

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Bophuthatswana drops squatting charges against Bosplaas residents. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012614

South African History Online (2011) 'Bophuthatswana drops squatting charges against Bosplaas residents', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012614 (Accessed: 24 September 2026).

South African History Online, Bophuthatswana drops squatting charges against Bosplaas residents [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012614, (accessed 24 September 2026).

"Bophuthatswana drops squatting charges against Bosplaas residents." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012614. Accessed 24 Sept. 2026.

South African History Online. "Bophuthatswana drops squatting charges against Bosplaas residents." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012614.