Illegal connectivity leaves residents in the dark

MARIANNHEIGHTS residents are tired of the filth, illegal dumping, continuous noise and ongoing fires they have to deal with on a daily basis from ‘illegal’ shack dwellers.

A resident, who asked not to be named in fear of reprisals, said they have been trying for months to bring this matter to the municipality’s attention but no one is taking the land invasion seriously.

“The department has created a monster and no one is accountable or taking responsibility for this mess. As ratepayers, we have to pay for everything, however, the shack dwellers have illegal water and electricity connections and land they don’t pay a cent for. They have electricity because all the street lights have been tampered with,” said a resident.

ALSO READ: Mariannridge shack dwellers left in the cold

“Due to these illegal connections, our roads are in darkness and again through numerous communication and telephone calls, this has not been resolved since April 2018. There is security on a daily basis, (using ratepayers’ money) who protect the shack dwellers, many of whom sleep the whole day.”

The resident claimed that a month ago, 30 shack dwellers threatened the community while they hacked into the electricity box in Central Drive and connected cabling from the box. The police were called and caught the perpetrators in the act with stolen cables and setting up illegal connections but nothing was done to stop them.

Residents said as per a court interdict, only 90 people was permitted to build in the area.

“To date it is a free-for-all and shacks are being erected on a daily basis. The area has become a health hazard with all the filth strewn around and no proper sanitation.

“I have communicated with relevant stakeholders with regards to the land invasion in Marrianheights. To date no one has given us concrete feedback as to what is being done to resolve the situation.”

Ward 15 councillor, Sifiso Ngcobo, said this is a serious issue of which he is also aware.

ALSO READ: Mariannridge shack dwellers‘ electricity demands spark protest

“The shack dwellers are in my ward but connect illegal electricity from Ward 13 as the areas are close to each other. Those people are there illegally and have forced their way in and do whatever they want to.

“As much as they do need resources such as electricity and water, they need to follow correct procedures.”

Ngcobo said they have discussed this matter with Ward 13 councillor, Bouy Cloete. The department of housing needs to visit and allocate houses and count how many households there are before involving the electricity department.”

Shack dwellers organisation spokesman, Thapelo Mohapi, said people are connecting these services because they have tried to plead with the municipality to connect these essential services for them.

“People living there also want to pay for the services and do not want to live like criminals, connecting cables illegally, which is also a danger to them and their families.

“People residing at that place are also South African residents who have rights and deserve to be provided with utility services,” said Mohapi.

“I feel for Mariannheights residents who have been drawn into this, but I believe they should also fight this matter with these shack dwellers instead of fighting against them, so that the municipality can take some accountability,” said Mohapi.

He added that in last year July, the court stopped the municipality from evicting people in that area as according to the constitution, they do have a right to stay there.

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