Ruimsig squatters – home owners raise their concerns
RUIMSIG – Home owners are concerned as they watch their investment slowly going down the drain.
While they have been law abiding citizens, paying their rates and taxes theses residents feel that authorities that be never consider them nor their investment and contributions when making decisions.
Chairperson for Ruimsig North Home Owner’s Association (RNHOA) Johann Wassermann explained that they are disappointed and shocked that the local authorities have approved the expansion of Ruimsig Informal Settlement without consulting them as home owners in that area.
“Eleven years ago, it was categorically stated by the Housing Department that the settlement has risen illegally and it would be settled elsewhere. This was recorded in the Gauteng Provincial Housing Department and at the time there were only 58 dwellings,” explained Wassermann.
It is understood that the settlement was standing at more than 400 dwellings before the recent addition of more than 60 shacks of residents who were moved from Taylor Road squatter camp.
The number of added shacks is also contrary to what was originally stipulated by the City’s Housing Department where it was mentioned that only 16 shack dwellings will be erected at Ruimsig Informal Settlement.
Property value is one of the major concerns for the home owners as they say the settlement will negatively affect their property value. “While our property value depreciates, our rates and taxes remain the same and we expected to be okay with that,” pointed out another home owner Fred Wilke.
Lack of accountability from either the City of Johannesburg or Mogale City has left residents at their wits end. “We pay for services in Mogale City but the whole execution process was done by City of Johannesburg and trying to get answers from either of the authorities is just a fruitless exercise,” added Wilke.
The noise and crime level is another concern for these residents. “For the past two Fridays we heard gun shots from the settlement and there is a huge noise problem because of the shebeens that are run illegally from the setlement,” explained Wassermann.
He added that they also receive no joy from Mulderdrift Police who hardly attend to their calls nor tip offs. “During our sector CPF meetings we have told them about the shebeen and police stated that they can’t go into this settlement at night. They raid those shebeens at 10am and find nothing because they are closed at that time.”
Spokesperson for Muldersdrift Police Warrant Hitler Ngwenya however gave a different account and said they always act on tip-offs. “The police go anywhere and can never say they are scared to raid a particular area,” said Ngwenya.
Whether it is Mogale City or the City of Johannesburg or the provincial office, these home owners feel that they should have been consulted and engaged on plans to extend the settlement because whatever happens there will obviously affect them.
Are you an affected home owner or resident of the area? Please contact us on northsider@caxton.co.za or comment on our Facebook page.
