THE informal settlement in Johannas Road in Sea Cow Lake has now earned the ire of residents in the area, said local ward councillor, Deochand Ganesh, on Friday last week.
He said that he had recently received numerous complaints from residents regarding the illegal land invasion. Concerns ranging from illegal power connections, health concerns, increase in crime and growth of the settlement have been raised.
Approximately 11 new shacks have been erected in the last two or three weeks. More than 2 000 people are currently occupying the land. “These people are stealing electricity and adding to the pressure of an already overloaded system. The most frustrating part is that authorities are lethargic. The illegal connections are so blatantly obvious, but they refuse to do anything,” said Ganesh.
Another major concern, he said, is the fact that many people living in the settlement are foreigners. “The settlement’s committee members often do not know who they are and it makes it difficult to maintain order. Xenophobic violence then becomes a concern, especially since resources are strained,” he said.
The health concerns that have been raised pertain to waste management. Portable toilets have been provided and fill up fairly quickly, but are not cleaned on a regular basis, added the councillor.
Ganesh said that he reported the issues to the head of the Durban North land invasion unit.
In December last year a raging fire ripped through the informal settlement, destroying more than 90 shacks.
