Premier Lesufi grilled over inaction on Fourways informal settlements

Informal settlements sprouting up along highways and busy intersections have allegedly become havens for criminals.

A case in point is the Clay Oven and Ginger Farm informal settlements, which according to Michael Sun, the Gauteng Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson for Community Safety, have been identified as major crime hotspots, with reports of violence and drug dealings among others.

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This has become a concern for Paulshof residents over the past five years. Sun said reports have also surfaced of a disturbing trend where individuals, allegedly from these settlements, deliberately damage traffic lights so they can direct traffic and solicit money from motorists.

When asked for proof of his claims, Sun said he had personally engaged with the residents and business owners in both settlements. He added the DA also had records of the public meetings held with residents and the crimes reported to the Sandton police.

“Criminals make a quick getaway and run back into these informal settlements on the roadside and it becomes almost impossible to track these criminals,” said Sun. The crime and grime have become intolerable for the residents in the area.” Sun said the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi had vowed to eradicate informal settlements during his recent State of the Province Address. However, he added, the reality on the ground told a different story, with little to no action taken to address the situation.

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That is why the DA had submitted questions to Lesufi concerning the informal settlements to ascertain what actions had been taken by the Department of Community Safety in response to the alleged criminal activities. “The premier must be held accountable, and law enforcement must intensify its efforts to address these crime-ridden hotspots and restore safety and order across the province. We are now waiting for a response.” Lesufi’s spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said a specialised Crime Prevention Warden unit had been set up to combat illegal land invasions and the vandalism of infrastructure.

“Every week, all Community Safety MMCs of Gauteng municipalities meet with the premier and the provincial SAPS to deal with identified crime hotspots and plan crime prevention operations together,” added Pamla. There is considerable progress in formalising this intergovernmental cooperation.”

The Department of Human Settlement’s Neo Goba confirmed there was currently an application by the landowner of Ginger Farm for the eviction of the land’s occupants. He added the Clay Oven land was earmarked for the construction of the K60 road and the residents would have to be relocated.

The spokesperson of the residents of Clay Oven Sphiwe Ntuli said they moved to the area because they had nowhere else to go. “We need help to get better housing,” he said. “We are looking for jobs here in Fourways, that is why we are here. We are not going to move without proper assistance for accommodation from the city. Staying here keeps us close to many places where we can try to work for money.”

Ntuli said he was aware of the crime accusations but refused to comment. Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said he would comment on the allegations but none was received at the time of going to print.

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