The EMPD Anti-Land Invasion Unit vowed to take appropriate action to deal with the squatters encroaching on the vacant piece of land on Rondebult Road, between Eveleigh Estate and K90 Shopping Centre.
This comes after an alleged attack on a woman while walking along the area sparked concerns about the people squatting in the vacant piece of land.
A concerned resident, Alida van Krieken, said apart from creating an eyesore, the makeshift dwellings are apparently harbouring criminals who target passers-by travelling to work in the nearby business centres.
Responding to the complaint, EMPD spokesperson chief Supt Kelebogile Thepa said the unit became aware of what’s happening on September 9 when the Advertiser reached out to the metro for comment on van Krieken’s complaint.
“Members of the unit carried out an investigation into the matter concerning a mushrooming informal settlement in Eveleigh, and they are now monitoring the area,” said Thepa.
She said the squatters will be dealt with soon but could not be drawn into revealing any further details on whether they were planning to clear the squatters encroaching on what is believed to be government-owned land.
The squatters cited homelessness, poverty and unemployment as some of the reasons they resorted to making the area their home. They denied their alleged involvement in any crimes reported in the area.
They claim they are collecting recyclable materials and sell them to scrap yards and rely on casual jobs for money to survive.
“We have been staying here for a long time and don’t have another place to call home,” said Nkabinde, one of the squatters.
The issue of squatters in Boksburg has been long-running and arduous for residents and property owners, who have complained of a spike in robberies, break-ins and other anti-social behaviour.
Concerned residents have for years been trying to get the government to deal with illegal occupiers of dilapidated buildings in Boksburg North, including the house on 13th Avenue, Ravenswood.
Neighbours say squatters have been living on the property in 13th Avenue for years, but over the past few years, the situation has gotten out of control.
A resident, who didn’t want to be identified, told the Advertiser the people making themselves at home in the house and in a shack on the property are involved in all sorts of illegal activities at all hours of the day and night.
She said there is noise, sale of drugs, prostitution, illegal dumping and burning of electrical cable.
The resident said they reported the problem to the police and the municipality, but nothing has changed so far.
On the other hand, the DA claimed land grab and squatting shine a light on the ‘housing backlog’ government has apparently failed to address.
In a statement recently issued by the party, the DA said swift action needed to be taken by the human settlement department to fast-track the process of reducing the housing unit backlog in the province.
“The substantial housing backlog is giving rise to illegal land invasion, the mushrooming of shacks and the illegal occupation of abandoned and dilapidated buildings.”
If you are aware of any land invasion or illegal occupancy of government-owned land, report it to the City’s services call centre on 086 045 3000.
Also Read: Eveleigh squatters becoming a growing concern
