Squatters wish for humane life
A small group of squatters has taken up residence on the vacant piece of land, on the side of Main Reef Road, near the Boksburg North Hotel.
With nowhere else to go, the squatters living in their camping tents say they have taken occupation of this piece of land since April.
They’re living without the luxuries of water, toilets and other basic needs.
The squatter camp is a home for about ten people living below the poverty line, who cited a variety of reasons for their plight, which include unemployment, failed marriages, poverty and others.
They add that the sky-high property prices and soaring rents have meant that squatting and begging have become a way of life for them.
One of the residents, Lydia Morison (46) says she was forced to become a beggar, after she lost her job as a pharmacist assistant at a local pharmacy.
“I struggled to survive after I lost my job. My marriage also failed and squatting and begging became a necessity for me.
“It’s not safe on the streets, but I would rather be a beggar than sell my body. I have been homeless, living on the streets for the past six years.”
Morison mentioned that before they moved to their new camp, they once spent a couple of years living outside the Boksburg North Clinic.
“We don’t want anything for free. We need jobs because we want to work. We want housing that we can afford, paying monthly. For someone to stay on the streets is not humane.
“We are prepared to do something to stay off the street.”
A disabled Renier Nolte says poverty has forced him to become a beggar.
“I have no place to live, no job and I beg for money to supplement the R1 350 disability grant I receive from the government. It is not enough to pay monthly rent, buy food and clothes,” says Nolte.
One man, who wishes to stay anonymous, says they are battling the cold winter.
“I was on Tuesday night forced to wake up in the middle of the night, and went to ask for boiled water from Scribante Old Age Home. I was freezing and I thought I would die.”
The squatters say they are aware that they illegally live on public land; however, they have nowhere else to go.
They appeal for assistance, such as blankets or warm clothing, food or even accommodation.
In the current difficult economic climate, squatting seems to be on the increase in Boksburg.
Homeless people in Boksburg have also moved into many non-residential buildings that stand empty and unused, including the municipal-owned building at 39 Market Street. – @FanieBoksburg
I phoned New Beginnings to ask if there is place there for these few people, and they said that the squatters have been asked to go there, but they did not want to go.
How can you help someone if they do not want to be helped?
I really do not want to seem heartless but if people erected 10 shacks there surely everyone would have been up in arms? Soon Cason Road will be nothing more than a squatter camp and it will be unsafe to drive there.
Help was offered but they were not interested, it seems as though they happy there.