Greenbelt squatters must go, says security expert

THERE is an estimated 500 people squatting in the dense greenbelts of Richards Bay, creating serious health, fire and security hazards for residents.

This is according to Corrie Pretorius of Northern Region Protection Services (NRPS), who says greenbelt crime patrols are difficult, if not impossible, to effectively conduct, owing to the density of the bush and the squalor left behind when the campers flee.

‘Human waste, boxes of ARVs, stolen items and mountains of rubbish and rusted metal, pile up in the greenbelts.

‘We can hardly walk there. It is disgusting.

‘Beautiful indigenous trees are hacked down and destroyed for firewood and carvings.

‘Residents with properties worth millions, are paying bonds, rates, taxes, security and insurance, but their ‘neighbours’ are illegally squatting on municipal property and living off petty crime, at their expense.’

Pretorius, who is actively involved in civilian crime fighting through regular joint patrols with members of the CPF and police, says their task is not easy, but currently the only line of defence against informal settlements mushrooming everywhere.

Fires, cattle and dogs

‘With the drought, bush fires are a real danger.

‘Cattle roam through the greenbelts and they are covered in ticks, which are dropped off everywhere.

‘Dogs hunt there, posing risks such as rabies and other transmittable diseases, which places the residential pets at risk.

‘During patrols, the vagrants hear us coming and just flee through the bushes – we hardly ever find them, only the evidence of their presence.

‘The municipality is responsible for the maintenance and security of the green belts, but nothing is being done to deal with the growing squatter camps, which destroy the very reason why the greenbelts have been left undeveloped.

‘House owners are fedup, because although syndicate activities and organised break-ins have been curbed, petty crimes are on the rise.

‘The greenbelt squatters are unemployed and live off whatever they can scrounge or steal.

‘The municipality has a security division which is supposed to chase cattle out of green belts, but they are not active anywhere.

‘A squatter problem affects property prices and quality of life.

‘Some home owners have even said they will be willing to buy green belt areas adjacent to their properties and maintain it themselves.’

Pretorius says members of Richards Bay SAPS have been joining the NRPS and the CPF on patrols, and thanked Brigadier Brenda Mgenge for being personally involved in visible policing initiatives by volunteers.

At the time of going to print, the municipality’s response was awaited.