The community reckoned that problems at Ncera have been going on for more than 10 years but were aggravated in 2007, by the settlement of farmers, all from outside the area except one, in the neighbouring farms that the community used for their livestock. The settled farmers do not even allow the local community to graze their livestock or use drinking points on these farms. The Department of Land Affairs had not informed the surrounding communities, which had previously had free access to these farms, about its plans. The community felt that people who were born and bred in the area and those who were previously farm workers on these farms while they were still operating commercially, should have been given first preference on these farms. They felt that the whole process was flawed and corrupt.