After months of speculation, the final figure is in.
Reports initially suggested about 40 illegal communal homes encompassed the Barry Hertzog Park area.
However, AfriForum’s Provincial Coordinator, Chris Fourie issued an exclusive statement to the Newcastle Advertiser, claiming the situation was far worse than expected.
According to Mr Fourie, Newcastle Municipality conducted site inspections at homes they suspected had been converted into communes.
“The municipality indicated to us there are 94 residential properties identified to have been converted to student residences without the approval of the Newcastle council.”
Mr Fourie claimed a few of the home owners submitted building plans in an effort to deliberately mislead the municipality.
“The owners were dishonest and their intention was to manipulate municipal bylaws.”
AfriForum contacted the municipality and requested they urgent take action against home owners, going so far as to suggest a ‘name and shame’ campaign.
More than 20 people are believed to live in some of the communal homes; a statistic high enough to cripple the community and negatively impact on sewage infrastructure.
While ‘urban sprawl’ is welcomed, Mr Fourie alleged the conditions people were living in was ‘unspeakable’ and well below minimum municipal health standards.
“We requested the municipality to close the homes down immediately.”
Newcastle Municipality apparently confirmed contravention notices had been issued to all 94 property owners.
“The due date for the property owners to respond to the municipality was April 30, 2015. We requested the municipality to escalate this process to a high court,” he concluded.
With no end to the commune debacle in sight, the community remains frustrated and in doubt. As some lose faith in the system, others hold on to a final glimmer of hope.
