New documentary shines a spotlight on government’s failure to prevent land grabs in Hermanus
A new documentary film about the takeover of a protected milkwood forest by land grabbers outside Hermanus is now available. The film, Stolen Ground: The Hermanus Story, was produced by Deep Focus Media in collaboration with AfriForumTV. This is the second documentary on land grabs in South Africa produced by director Joe Emilio – founder of Deep Focus Media – following the release of Stolen Ground: The Truth Behind the Tygerberg Land Grab in June 2025. Through this, Emilio and AfriForum aim to raise awareness regarding the various ways in which property rights in South Africa are being threatened.
Stolen Ground: The Hermanus Story recounts how, starting in 2018, hundreds of informal dwellings were erected at Schulphoek, right next to Hermanus. It investigates the authorities’ failure to remove land occupiers in a timely manner and explores how these land grabs were encouraged by certain politicians. The phenomenon of “shack farming” – where syndicates construct and rent out structures on land they do not own – is also discussed. Furthermore, it outlines how the lives of residents in Hermanus and Sandbaai have been affected by these events.
According to Emilio producing this documentary has been one of the most challenging and eye-opening experiences of his career. “What began as an investigation into a land invasion became a much bigger story about political accountability, the failure of authorities to act, and the devastating consequences for an entire community. My hope is that this film raises difficult questions, sparks meaningful debate, and ultimately puts pressure on those in power to provide answers.”
Leandra Enslin, a producer at AfriForumTV, relates that they heard the full story directly from the residents of Hermanus – and even from some land occupiers themselves. “It is important to go and hear firsthand how land grabs affect people’s lives. You realise then just how destructive politically driven land grabs are, and that private property rights are not merely an abstract concept on paper,” Enslin explains. “Stories like the one from Schulphoek need to be widely shared, so that people are prepared to prevent such occurrences elsewhere should signs of an impending land grab emerge.”
According to Louis Boshoff, spokesperson for AfriForum, it is important to keep events such as the land grabs in Hermanus in mind when the Expropriation Act and other property rights issues in South Africa are discussed. “Legislation – as well as political rhetoric – has consequences. If there is no sound legislation and firm law enforcement, criminal groups will cause similar damage elsewhere,” says Boshoff. He emphasizes that this is one of the reasons why AfriForum has taken up the fight against expropriation without compensation, and why the organisation also empowers neighbourhood watches and communities to protect private property.
The documentary is available for free on AfriForumTV.
