Durban's eThekwini Municipality is battling to keep more than 300 "land invaders" away from a vacant plot in the plush Sherwood area, west of the city.
Municipal security and the police dispersed the group yesterday morning when it arrived with building materials to construct makeshift homes on the land.
But the group, from a nearby informal settlement, returned to the plot as soon as the patrol vehicles were out of sight. They told the wealthy homeowners to "get used" to their new neighbours.
When the police returned at midday the group left, but not before threatening to return in the night.
Municipal spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said municipal security officers were deployed to guard the plot.
"Whoever is found on that land will be arrested on the spot.
"They know that they are breaking the law and must face the consequences," he said.
Ian de Bruin, who has been living in the area for 20 years, said the group should follow the proper channels to acquire homes.
"To acquire and steal something are two different things altogether. This is stealing and is totally wrong and illegal. This is private land and people cannot just come and start marking plots."
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