Illegal structures demolished during municipal clean-up

For months, residents complained about the traders outside the Cecil Emmett sports grounds. Complaints regarding poor hygienic conditions as well as the ill treatment of animals took priority on Facebook and WhatsApp groups. On Sunday morning, the municipality took action and cleaned up the area by breaking down the illegally erected ‘shacks’. Even though police and security groups were on scene to step in if there was any hostility from the traders, everything ran smoothly and the traders complied. The traders were informed well in advance of the clean-up and they had their belongings packed up. The municipality relocated the traders later in the day back to their respective homes. Acting Municipal Manager Sbonga Dlamini and Director of Development & Planning Stefan Landman were the driving forces behind the initiative, and oversaw the project to the end. Dlamini emphasised that there will be daily monitoring of the area to ensure that ‘things don’t get out of hand, like they did’. Any illegal structures will be demolished immediately. She furthermore admitted that, “The town is dirty and we need to start cleaning up. Every Friday, there will be a clean-up initiative from the municipality’s side.” She also said that the Plaza is open for traders to go about their business, so there is no need for them to erect illegal structures in front of the sports grounds again.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.