City aware of reoccurring land grabbing in Austin View

A section of open land in the Austin View area remains a concern for the local residents association, while land grabbers continue to attempt to build shacks on it, despite evictions.

The land has been subject in the past to illegal land grabs and subsequent evictions by authorities, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), and Red Ants, together with the provincial Department of Human Settlement (DoHS).

The DoHS spokesperson, Neo Goba, said they were aware of the damaged barbed wire fence, erected to keep people out, which was damaged by desperate land grabbers who are adamant about occupying the open veld.

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Goba said, steps have since been taken to deal with the issue of the damaged fence, which has since resulted in illegal structures emerging on the site again.

When asked if the department knew who might have cut and damaged the fence, Goba replied: “Yes, DoHS is aware of the criminal activities that have taken place in the said area. It is some of the people who were illegally occupying the land and were removed by the JMPD. A case was opened with SAPS at Rabie Ridge Police Station and the suspects were eventually arrested”.

In an article, Concern as Land Grabbers Target Other Site, [Week ending 28 June], the Southeast Midrand Suburban Alliance (SeMSA) deputy chairperson Thabo Moorosi said they were concerned that there were seemingly inadequate law enforcement measures. Moorosi added the ‘failure’ to decisively address illegal land invasion and enforce the law has led to attempts by illegal land grabbers to seize other vacant land in the area.

When further asked about allegations of land invaders building structures on the site again, Goba confirmed that the DoHS was aware of these emerging allegations, but that steps had been taken.
“There is security on-site monitoring the area and they will be removing all illegal occupants who intend to move back onto the land,” said Goba.

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However, Moorosi claimed the security company was not on-site and spent most of their time elsewhere.

“Despite the evictions, illegal land grabbers repeatedly remove the security fence and erect shacks shortly after being evicted. This occurs in full view of the security company, which appears to be ineffectively managing the situation. The security personnel are often seen sunbathing away from the site instead of performing their duties. The inadequacy was further demonstrated when their vehicle was burned after they fled from the land grabbers,” said Moorosi.

“SeMSA believes that [the security company] is not properly equipped, capacitated, or competent to secure the site, and recommends sourcing a more capable security company,” said Moorosi.