Community centre misused
Community outraged about centre inside informal settlement.
A community centre was constructed in Zandspruit informal settlement five years ago and the current state of it has upset some of the residents.
Community leader Tobie du Bizanie said the dilapidated centre had seen better days. “We cannot use the centre anymore because all of the windows are broken and the ceiling is falling in.” The community had used the centre for meetings but this had become impossible.
Resident Subata Mokabethi said squatters were living inside rooms at the back of the centre and that the community could only use the entrance hall. “We are to afraid to use the entrance hall because the [illegal] tenants can become aggressive and we do not know what we can do to evict them,” he said.
Ward 114 councillor Maureen Schneemann said she would arrange a meeting with Metro police to remove the people living in the centre.
“The centre needs to be used by the community and the first step is for the police to evict the squatters,” she said.
Details: Ward 114 councillor Maureen Schneemann 083 297 1128.
