The close-knit group of neighbours in Chichester Street said they realised Reesberg had health problems and the structures on his property that the Northcliff Melville Times reported on before was probably a means to secure his future.
“But we are also scared. We want our most expensive assets secured. We’ve all spent money on our properties, and the house values in the street will be severely affected by this,” said Janine Manuel.
“For my children’s future I can’t afford to have an informal settlement on my doorstep,” Khadija Richards said.
“Our street is lovely, and we want to keep it that way. A squatter camp here is not an option.
“We’d be happy to help Gerrit, but he needs to want our help, and he needs to respect the people around him. What’s so unique about this street is that we help each other. And it’s the one resource he hasn’t used. Shacking up is not the solution.”
Neighbours also said they were worried the problem would be aggravated if something happened to Reesberg.
“Then we’ve got squatters for real. Legally it’s almost impossible to get rid of them,” Richards said.
“You can only subdivide a property once, and he has already done that,” the neighbours pointed out.
“It’s not legal. Besides, it’s unsightly. It’s an eyesore.”
Here’s what Reesberg had to say in response.
