Merewent on alert after land invasion threat
All necessary precautions will be taken and the authorities will not leave anything to chance at the weekends.
Claims about an impending land invasion plan in Merewent’s Buldana Road were aired in a Facebook post earlier this week, causing concern for Bluff residents.
The post claimed that 148 people were planning to build shacks during the weekend next to the Admiralty reserve land in Buldana Road, Merewent. Ward 68 councillor, Aubrey Snyman said he is aware of the post, as are the relevant authorities including the police, but as far as he knows, there is no such plan in the pipeline.
“The only shacks allowed in the space are the controlled ones which have been here for the past 15 years. There are 10 families on this land and five others further down. I have been trying for years to get them relocated to better homes. The relevant department came out here to check into their situations and found there are no proper ablutions or electricity. But these are part of a controlled housing situation,” said Cllr Snyman.
READ: Too many holes in Bluff land invaders champion’s argument
The shack dwellers were told under no circumstances were any more people allowed to move into the area and if there was a problem, they should contact the councillor, “They have done this timeously. Recently when we had a group of people from Umlazi cutting the bush to set up homes, I received a call from these people. The authorities and I came and stopped it. Last week we wanted to sit with the representative from Umlazi and a representative from the Buldana camp but that meeting did not materialise,” he added.
READ:Â Call for calm ahead of EFF protest over illegal Bluff land invasion
He assured local communities that all necessary precautions will be taken and the authorities will not leave anything to chance at the weekends. “As they say, there is no smoke without fire so we will keep our eyes and ears peeled for any trouble,” he said.
READ:Â Bluff land invaders vow to stay on
Metro Police spokesman, Parboo Sewpersad said there are steps to take if you do suspect land invasions. Contact the city’s security management unit (SMU) on 031-311-4701 or 031-311-4702. Provide the exact location of where the land invasion is happening, including the street name and what land or area is being invaded, as well as an indication of how many people are involved.
“Residents can also contact the Durban Metro Police Service control room on 031-361-0000 and ask for the control room operator for their area. For example, if the land being invaded is on the Bluff, the control room operator would be a South region operator, so try to be specific when asking for assistance. Explain the nature of the complaint and be specific about which area, as many areas have the same street or road names. The Metro Police will forward your complaint onwards,” said Sewpersad.
Residents can also contact their local ward councillor who can forward the complaint to the correct authorities. Do not approach the land invaders or the area being targeted, rather let the correct authorities deal with the situation. If you are traveling in your motor vehicle and happen on an area being invaded, rather detour and avoid the area.
“Treat any land invasion as a danger zone and make sure you and your family are safe at all times. Sometimes these invasions can become hostile and you could get injured. Also take photos or videos for evidential and court action,” he added.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.Â
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 876 3179
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?Â
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
