Encroachment challenges for the South African National Defence Force: The case of Army Support Base Potchefstroom

Abstract

The study reported on here examined the issue of informal settlements encroaching on military lands, focusing on the effects on military operations and civilian safety in the Potchefstroom region, particularly at the Army Support Base Potchefstroom and the General de la Rey Training Area. The study assessed the extent of settlement growth around military areas from 2011–2020 and its broader implications. Geographic information system and remote sensing technologies were employed, with a geographic information system-based change detection methodology tracking changes in land accessibility due to encroachment. Semi-structured interviews with senior military personnel and former candidates provided qualitative insights used in the interpretative phenomenological analysis, offering first-hand perspectives on encroachment impacts. The findings revealed significant encroachment by the Marikana and Eleazer Emerging Farmers communities (colloquially called ‘Eleazer Up and Coming Farmers Community’), resulting in compromised security, vandalism, and safety risks within military areas. The research highlighted the urgent need for policy intervention to protect military lands and prevent further encroachment, ensuring operational integrity and civilian safety. The innovative combination of geographic information system analysis and qualitative methods contributes to urban geography, security studies, and governance by offering a comprehensive understanding of these challenges. The study advocates for immediate action by policymakers and stakeholders to address encroachment, safeguard military functionality, and protect affected communities. This provides a foundation for future studies and policy measures in similar contexts, emphasising the importance of integrating geographic and social perspectives to resolve such complex issues.