Exploring Forced Removals and Dispossession in the Dukuduku Forest, KwaZulu Natal, before and after 1994

Government-sanctioned forced removals are a continuous theme in contemporary South Africa. This article examines four major phases of forced removals in the Dukuduku state forest – located in the Mtubatuba Municipality in northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa – beginning in the 1930s. It places particular focus on the last phase of removals in the 1980s and 1990s, during the significant political period in South Africa in which there were talks between the liberation movements and the Nationalist government about transitioning to the new political dispensation. Land restitution efforts following the 1994 elections are explored, detailing the state's approach to addressing historical injustices related to land issues. The findings reveal that resistance was fuelled by conservationist imperatives that prioritised nature over human habitation and demonstrate that the policies of both apartheid and post-apartheid governments have contributed to the destruction of a significant portion of this unique indigenous forest over the past five decades. The article advocates for a balanced land management approach that respects historical land claims and prioritises local needs alongside environmental preservation efforts.