The way forward with squatters
The problem with the illegal squatters in Second Avenue. Alberton North has been ongoing for many years and many meetings later no solution has yet been found.
ALBERTON – Previous meetings regarding the Alberton North squatter camp issues were discussed in 2013 by all parties involved.
At a meeting between the residents, the DA councillor Mrs Bruna Haipel, the chairperson of CPF, the Education department and the Health department, on Thursday August 22 2013, the following was discussed:
The residents raised the following issues:
• Squatters get drunk and disorderly, play loud music till all hours of the night.
• Drugs are sold out of the squatter camp.
• Copper cables are burnt to remove the casing. This causes noxious smoke.
• Motorcars are repaired and stripped there.
• The area is strewn with rubbish and sometimes burned.
• People are defecating outside as there are no toilets.
• All building control rules are ignored.
• These squatters are causing problems for the children and teachers of the nursery school which are the legal occupants of a portion of these buildings.
Cllr Haipel pointed out the following:
• The Education Department is well aware of the above as Cllr Haipel has had various communications with MEC Barbara Creecy’s office.
• This issue has been ongoing for many years.
• The Education Department started the eviction process a long time ago but to no avail.
• These squatters are costing the Education Department a great deal of money.
• Education Dept is in arrears of R308 000 for water and electricity.
The Chairperson of the CPF pointed out the following:
• These squatters are not paying rent to the Education Department, but they are paying rent of about R1 000 per month to someone who is defrauding Education of this money.
• The person who is collecting the rent money is known to them.
• There are 19 rooms illegally occupied.
Representatives of the Education Department pointed out that:
• They are aware of the eviction process, but:
• The squatters opposed the eviction.
• Alternative accommodation must be provided.
The Environmental Health Department confirmed that:
• They had issued various contravention notices.
The way forward:
• The Health Department will forward copies of all contravention notices to Nombedesho Ngcobozi of the GDE Legal services and cc Cllr Haipel.
• Residents’ petition will be handed to GDE Legal Services.
• Cllr Haipel will request Building Control and City Planning to investigate and enforce by-laws.
The Alberton RECORD will revisit this situation to ascertain what has been done and what the future plans are.
