Illegal squatters at Wolwespruit now relocated, but urgent action still needed elsewhere

AfriForum welcomes the successful relocation of illegal squatters who have occupied the wetland in Erasmuskloof, near Wolwespruit, for years. This follows the organisation’s submission of a full report on the impact of these illegal dwellings to the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality earlier this year.

The occupation of this area has caused serious problems such as an increase in crime, cable theft and pollution, which has been exacerbated by illegal recycling and dumping. This has damaged the environment almost beyond repair. However, efforts have now begun to rehabilitate this area. Although there are still illegal squatters camping outside the site in Nossob Street and Solomon Mahlangu Drive, the Department of Human Settlements has undertaken to relocate them soon.

Elsewhere in Pretoria, however, new urgency is needed to stop illegal dumping and squatting. For example, litter pickers have occupied an open area of land in Elarduspark, Pretoria East, earmarked for a sports field for Laerskool Elarduspark. According to media reports, the primary school had until recently leased the site from the Metro. The school had also kept the site clean and maintained throughout, but recently notified the Metro that it was ending its lease agreement. AfriForum warns that this step will further expose the site to illegal squatters and that the Metro’s failure to intervene is already having serious consequences for the surrounding community.

AfriForum sent two letters to the Metro in early June, in which it made several demands regarding illegal squatters and dumping in Pretoria. The civil rights organisation also presented solutions to these problems. These letters follow years of lack of management and action by the Metro.

The civil rights organisation is demanding that the Metro take urgent action to resolve the matter. This includes, among other things: immediate clean-up actions at landfill sites; regular patrols at identified sites; legal action against repeat offenders; and urgent municipal inspection.

AfriForum also urges the Metro to take steps to ensure that the construction of illegal structures on municipal sites is curbed. AfriForum has also made clear proposals for preventing the establishment of illegal informal settlements and illegal landfill sites. The organisation suggests that regular neighbourhood patrols and community mobilisation be undertaken and that the proactive use of technology and communication be introduced to monitor identified areas and effect the removal of already existing illegal landfill sites and informal settlements.

There are many similar examples where the outcome of the Metro’s sheer inaction has led to serious socio-economic and environmental challenges, such as in the case of the Plastic View settlement behind Moreleta Church in De Villebois Mareuil Drive. This settlement began as a temporary housing for illegal squatters and has since expanded into a huge informal settlement that poses several socio-economic challenges for residents of the surrounding area due to the Metro’s failure to act.

Although the Tshwane Metro has previously obtained an eviction order to move residents of the Plastic View settlement and relocate them to a new site, as required by law, the residents have refused to move. The Tshwane Metro’s slow action to obtain an eviction order has meant that by the time an eviction order has been obtained for one group, many others have joined for whom an eviction order must also be obtained. The process is thus continually starting over without reaching a conclusion.

AfriForum maintains that the Metro is incurring unnecessary legal costs and causing financial waste due to its slow-moving approach to cases of this nature. According to the organization, it is concerning that the Metro has still not taken action despite sustainable, workable solutions outlined by AfriForum and others.

“The issue of illegal dumping and squatters must be tackled from the outset, otherwise the surrounding community will suffer for years due to the problems caused by these illegal actions and settlements,” says Llewellynn Hemmens, AfriForum’s district coordinator for Greater Pretoria North. “The Metro has all the help and resources at their disposal to stop these crimes, but their failure to act creates conditions in which this crime flourishes.”

AfriForum reaffirms its commitment to the protection of private property and emphasizes that it will take a stand against the Tshwane Metro and enforce action to protect the community.

AfriForum would also like to thank the organisations, businesses, council members and community members who worked together to find a solution.