Back-and-forth continues in Austin View’s much-sought land
Illegal land grabbers have begun constructing shacks in the open veld again, amounting to about 350 now.
Up to 350 shacks have begun to mushroom in Austin View’s open veld in Midrand, again.
The land has been a subject of back-and-fourth evictions between authorities and the determined people, who want to settle there. After several evictions earlier this year, which saw the open land being fenced, illegal structures are being built sporadically around the land.
Read more: Ward 112 councillor aware of illegal dwellers
The evictions were done by the province’s Department of Human Settlements, JMPD, the Red Ants, and private security companies. This happened around March and April which saw 5 000 shacks being taken down, leaving thousands stranded.
Some eventually resorted to occupying the Modderfontein and Dane Roads reserves while living under a tent. The paper noticed on July 31 that shacks were being built and contacted the city’s Human Settlement Department’s spokesperson Neo Goba.
Goba said the dwellers should refrain from occupying the land because it is earmarked for a mixed-housing development.
Also read: City aware of reoccurring land grabbing in Austin View
When asked when the mixed-housing development project will commence, he said, “the appointed consultants are currently busy with the township establishment, and it is at 99% completed.” She stated that the city’s department was aware of the increase of illegal structures mushrooming again, but that they were attending to it. “JPMD has been on the ground to remove the illegal structures and to provide security,” she added.
Goba said they will carry out other evictions as and when there are illegal structures or illegal occupation of land.
JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said their officers are on the ground and there is an appointed security company patrolling the area and informing the department of any developing issues.
“Operations are then organised accordingly. The city was in court for the past two weeks regarding the property opposite the BP garage, and handling land invasions in other regions, hence the re-occurrence of invasions. However, Austin View has a valid interdict from 2017, which the invaders are not contesting. Even if they build, they will be in contempt of a valid court interdict. An operation will be conducted as soon as possible,” said Fihla.
He said the JMPD is aware of the invasions happening across the city, and being inundated with these operations, they cannot enforce actions simultaneously.
“As security companies are currently patrolling, the presence of JMPD is required when demolitions are conducted. Unfortunately, land invaders operate in that manner. A fence was erected in May, but it was cut down by the invaders,” concluded Fihla.
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Related article: Semsa deputy welcomes the removal of land grabbers in Austin View
