LOCALS have been told “not to take matters into their own hands” after an African tribe living in woodlands in the Borders were threatened with violence.
Kofi Offeh from Ghana and Jean Gasho from Zimbabwe have been living in tents and documenting their lives on social media on land near Jedburgh that is owned by the Scottish Borders Council.
The pair, along with Asnat, who has emerged to be Kaura Taylor, a missing woman from Texas, United States, settled in the forest and established the so-called Kingdom of Kubala, with the intention of reclaiming land they claim was stolen from their ancestors in the Highlands 400 years ago.
The local authority said attempts were made to engage the group in local services before they were evicted from the land. It has been reported that the trio have since moved to privately owned land in the area.
One councillor has said there has been an “escalation” in the relationship between the group living in the woods and local residents.
In a video statement, Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton has called for calm and that a “mob mentality or threats of violence” will not be tolerated.
He said: “The council and police are ready to work with (the land owner) in securing a better outcome for this group and the community of Jedburgh,
“In the interim period, we will continue to monitor to ensure your safety as residents and theirs as human beings.
“I must ask you not to take matters into your own hands.”
Hamilton added: “Gauging by my email inbox and phone calls I have received, it is clear there has been an escalation in the relationship between these campers and residents in the town.
“Footage was shared with me throughout the course of [yesterday], which showed an unholy, inappropriate situation – where violence was threatened, where accusations were made and where tensions were on the rise.
“That will achieve nothing.”
Hamilton’s comments come after police were called to the wooded area following a report of a disturbance on Sunday.
The group have uploaded videos on their social media pages showing encounters with local residents.
Gasho uploaded one video which appeared to show a woman attempting to remove their tents from the area along with the caption claiming they came to "destroy" their camp.
The group have since claimed they have been “attacked” several other times.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7.50pm on Sunday, August 31, we received a report of a disturbance at Oxnan Road, Jedburgh. Officers attended, and there was no evidence of criminality.
“Suitable advice was given.”
