The man who has been camping on the lawns of the Union Buildings for seven years has until Saturday to vacate the premises.

This follows a court order obtained by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure last month, giving Khoi-san Driegaat, also known as King Khoisan SA, his wife Doris, and their entourage 30 days to leave the property.

Driegaat and his group have been living in makeshift tents near the statue of former President Nelson Mandela since 2017.

They say they’re protesting for the recognition of the Khoisan people as South Africa’s first nation.

Department spokesperson Lennox Mabaso says a date for executing the order is yet to be determined.

“We wish to reaffirm as the department that no single person has the right to claim and occupy public space for their own benefit, more so at the lawns of the Union buildings, which belong to all South Africans for their use and enjoyment. The court order will be executed according to the instructions of the court at the time and date to be determined by various government institutions. Including the city of Tshwane, at the direction of the sheriff of the court.”