Eviction on the cards for plastic squatters
"These people could be evicted within 30 days of this going through."
Residents of the Plastic City informal settlement have possibly sealed their fate, by submitting a petition to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to stop their eviction from the area.
The municipality is reportedly in the process of removing the squatters, but required their ID numbers to serve them with eviction notices.
Whether knowingly or not, the informal settlement residents have now provided Ekurhuleni with this information — on their petition.
This was disclosed to the Herald by DA ward councillor for the area Brandon Pretorius.
Pretorius told the Herald that the petition was handed in at the Brakpan Civic Centre, by the informal settlement residents themselves, on Wednesday, last week.
“They heard the Red Ants were coming to evict them and wanted to stop the raid,” he said.
“The raid still happened, but the Red Ants weren’t there.”
It was reported on the Herald’s website, on Thursday, last week, that 10 illegal immigrants were arrested during a crime prevention operation, at Plastic City, that morning.
The operation involved the local SAPS, members of the EMPD and representatives from the Department of Home Affairs.
Over 100 shacks were searched.
Read the story here: Ten arrested in ‘Plastic City’ raid
A public meeting, called by Pretorius, took place later that evening at Tweedy Park, where Plastic City was on top of the agenda.
More than 100 concerned Brakpan residents were in attendance and the meeting was chaired by representatives from the local branch of Afriforum.
It was during this meeting that Pretorius shared news of the possible eviction with the community.
“Ekurhuleni’s Legal and Corporate Department is ready to evict them, but can’t issue eviction notices without ID numbers,” he said.
“We now have their ID numbers from their petition.
“This has been sent through to the legal department and I’m waiting for feedback on whether the eviction notices will go ahead.
“These people could be evicted within 30 days of this going through.”
Residents, however, expressed concern about to where the squatters will be relocated.
“Many think they will be moved to Location Road, but nothing has been confirmed,” said Pretorius.
“Some residents reported receiving letters stating this, and I’m investigating whether this is true.”
It was suggested at the meeting that residents should start recycling in an effort to eliminate the supply of plastic and other recyclables.
“Without plastic to collect, there would be no need for the squatters to be there,” said Pretorius.
“This is something we are looking at and we’ll need to see whether all residents will participate with a recycling initiative.”
It was also revealed that a private developer has intentions of building a housing estate in the area.
According to Pretorius, the entrance to the estate would be situated at the traffic circle directly opposite the entrance to the Weltevreden Landfill Site.
The estate, which is still in the proposal stage, would include parks and a school.
The proposed name is Ringpoort and a notice of application for its establishment was recently placed on site.
In the meantime, Pretorius stated, he will request the municipality to carry out a health inspection at the informal settlement and conduct air pollution tests.
Also read: WATCH: Plastic City continues to burn
Another ‘Plastic City’ for Brakpan?
EMPD strives to make informal settlement safer
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