Last week, residents living around the municipal park in Andries Street started complaining that several vagrants had moved into the old clubhouse at the vandalised netball courts.
“We are really very worried. Can someone please help us?” a resident pleaded on social media.
According to the resident, theft is already on the rise since the new illegal occupants arrived. In one yard, electrical infrastructure has been damaged.
When the Herald visited the park on Friday, someone had clearly moved in. Several mattresses lay in what used to be the offices. Some-one had also moved a cupboard onto the back verandah and a container with eggs stood on the floor next to one of the mattresses. A pair of shoes was on the stoep near one of the rooms.
The ward councillor, Mr Carlos Rebelo, together with the residents, tried to persuade the municipality to demolish the building earlier this year. They feared that if unsavoury characters moved in, crime in the area would increase.
Some of the residents even offered to demolish the building without any cost to the municipality. The structure had already been damaged by a fire caused by previous illegal squatters. Merafong refused the generous offer, however, saying it was still investigating whether the building should be renovated instead. Rebelo says he is aware that cable theft has increased in the area. He fears that the municipality is now offering free lodging to those stealing its infrastructure.
“I am also afraid that residents could be attacked,” he complains.
Although the Herald took the concerns to the municipality on Tuesday, no feedback was received on the matter.
