Invaders prevented from grabbing private land in Klopper Park
“This is a huge concern. There are right and wrong ways to do things, and it is illegal to just start occupying land.”
Tensions remained high after an alleged land grab attempt on three vacant properties on Welkom Street in Klopper Park.
The incident, which saw about 100 individuals arrive, occurred on June 4.
According to Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro, those who had and were demarcating pieces of land came from two informal settlements in Elandsfontein.
Representatives told him the move was because of crime issues in the greater Elandsfontein area.
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He said the Elandsfontein residents were from the eMabondeni informal settlement, while others came from the settlement built on the wetland near Sizwe Secondary School.
“We had a scary situation where between 100 and 150 people from a neighbouring community arrived and started demarcating pieces of land to create a new settlement,” Guerreiro.
The group arrived in Klopperpark at about 09:00.
“Fortunately, the Klopperpark community sprang into action and notified the SAPS, the EMPD, security companies and the local CPF.”
Guerreiro said the land includes three stands – two privately owned and a third belonging to the municipality.
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After Guerreiro addressed the Elandsfontein residents, the crowd dispersed and left Klopperpark.
“We explained it was illegal to occupy and claim land without following due process.”
He said a settlement was the last thing the Klopperpark residents needed.
Guerreiro said this was not the first land grab attempt in Klopperpark.
He said before he became the Ward 92 councillor, a group believed to be from Elandsfontein tried to demarcate land, but community action stopped it.
“This is a huge concern. There are right and wrong ways to do things, and it is illegal to start occupying land.”
He said that if not prevented, at least 10 000 residential units could be built on the land.
Guerreiro said formal housing for settlement residents was requested through the ward’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
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“In Henville, there is a large piece of land which was earmarked for future development in terms of government housing.”
Guerreiro said because one of the three stands belongs to the CoE, he intends to send the mayor a report informing him of the situation.
The Elandsfontein community called for a meeting. It was held at Sizwe Secondary School on June 7, and the Klopperpark residents were invited to attend.
The meeting aimed to clarify the events of June 4 and find a solution.
“As a councillor, I represent the entire Ward 92 community. However, there are right ways and wrong ways of doing things.
“It is such a catch-22 situation. Obviously, we know there are challenges around land in SA, but people must follow due process.”
According to Guerreiro, the Klopperpark residents want the open piece of land used for something that would benefit the community.
A resident told the Bedfordview and Edenvale News the land should become a football field or sports grounds. Guerreiro said using it for a larger clinic would benefit Klopperpark and the surrounding areas.
Speaking to the Klopperpark residents, Guerreiro thanked the community members, the SAPS, the EMPD, security companies and the CPF for coming out and standing together.
“We do not want this piece of land to become an informal settlement because it will be the end of Klopperpark. Standing together will resolve this,” said Guerreiro.
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He said Klopperpark already has many issues, and an informal settlement would only exacerbate the situation.
After the Elandsfontein residents dispersed, Guerreiro asked that the Klopperpark residents join law enforcement and remove the items demarcating plots of land.
“Keep your eyes open and remain vigilant about what happens on this piece of land. We need to find solutions for these properties so this problem does not reoccur,” said Guerreiro.
When the land was developed, a solution brought forth was that it be fenced. Although Guerreiro said this could alleviate the problem, they would need to raise funds for the fencing.
Speaking to Guerreiro and the community, Klopperpark resident Magasa Ntuane said the first community members arriving on the scene felt intimidated by the Elandsfontein group.
Ntuane said the initial group of Klopperpark residents felt
Ntuane appealed to fellow community members, saying they must be present to help when an emergency arises.
“Speak to your employer, inform them about the situation and ask them if you can leave work to deal with the emergency. It will benefit all of us if we stand together.”
He said they could avoid the worst situations by responding in time.
After the meeting at Sizwe Secondary School, Guerreiro said there would be a Klopperpark community meeting to give feedback to residents.
