Rise in shack dwellers
The residents of Bloubosrand are fed up with the increased number of shacks being built in Kya Sand.
According to animal activist and Bloubosrand resident Klarika Nettleton, the shacks have been there for close to two years.
“It started with one or two shacks and then there were many more. These people are lowering the value of Bloubosrand,” said Nettleton.
She admits to warming up to the shack dwellers and helping them from time to time. “I want them to get housing, I want them to have a better place to stay. They confide in me and I sympathise with them.”
Ward 96 councillor Matume Mafukwane said, “I suggest the residents stop expanding the shacks because the more they build the more difficult it will be to clear the settlement once houses are ready to be built. It is in the residents’ own interest to stop settling new people.”
Shack dweller Jan Ramapholio explained, “I moved here last year from Inanda. We have no electricity here or running water, nor do we have toilets. We have reported this to the Department of Housing, but nothing has happened so far.”
According to Department of Housing communications manager Bubu Xaba, her department met with the residents to address the issues. “We demolished some of the shacks in the area and arrested 43 illegal immigrants. This was a joint operation with housing, Metro police and police.”
