At the moment, the taxi rank on Voortrekker Street is not a place to go near.
Allegedly, an informal settlement has been erected there.
The Heidelberg Taxi Association has ensured that the squatters were removed and the taxi rank cleaned.
When HERAUT visited the area on May 11, the part next to the taxi rank looked like a rubbish dump with dirt and waste everywhere.
Also visible were the rats running around. It looked like a wall-to-wall rubbish dump.
Of concern is the fact that many businesses, food vendors and restaurants operate in the area.
Concerned business owners, who requested to remain anonymous, are up in arms with how the CBD has gone to ruin and believe it needs to be dealt with urgently.
At the moment, it seems informal settlements are going up anywhere there is an open space in Heidelberg.
Law enforcement agencies deal with reported squatters but only to an extent.
HERAUT recently reported on an informal settlement at the Blesbokspruit.
The Heidelberg SAPS dealt with that matter, and the people received notice to vacate the area and destroy the illegal structures.
The group Skoon Heidelberg cleans Heidelberg’s streets weekly.
