GLEN MARAIS RESIDENT writes:
Let me start off by saying I am sick and tired of being afraid and having to live like a prisoner in my own home. I am sure that you received a lot of letters similar to mine since the ‘establishment’ of Kempton Park’s latest neighbourhood, Glen Marikana.
It would seem that the law does not apply to anyone anymore and we can do as we please. I, and many other residents in Kempton Park, would like to know what exactly is being done about the Glen Marikana situation?
Also read:
• Dann Road squatters: no eviction order yet
• WATCH: EFF leader arrested during Glen Marikana raid
• WATCH: Stones hurled as rubber bullets fly at Glen Marikana
We recently bought our house, which was valued at close to R2-million, for which we pay rates and taxes, water and electricity and have house plans that conform to all building and municipal regulations.
Now my question is: Why do I have to pay and conform to all that when I can just build a shack on a piece of land and stay for free with no regard to any of the laws that get imposed on taxpaying citizens? My home is now unsellable and the value of my property has gone down by more than half of what it was purchased for less than a year ago.
Do you think that is fair? Do you expect me to just sit here, afraid in my own home, unable to go for a walk around the neighbourhood due to fear of being a victim of crime again or choking on smoke?
As it stands, I was robbed at gunpoint in April next to Glen Marikana and last night (May 29) an attempt was made to break into my house. And now I’m saying, enough is enough!
On top of it all, we run a business from home, which has also taken a knock, because people don’t want to drive to Glen Marais anymore. So you see, all aspects of my life is being influenced because nobody has the guts to stand up and do something of fear of being labeled.
Yet everyone is being manipulated (bullied) and does not want to step on any toes. It’s like parents that buy their obese child another chocolate because they do not want to make a scene in the shops. I understand that “things are being done, but it takes time”, but this is no longer good enough. A court order was issued that stated that they are not allowed to continue building (if the information we received is correct), but yet, there is no more space for me to build my shack.
After all, I also have the right to demand another home, regardless if I have one just down the road. I have the right to toyi-toyi when Pick n Pay charges too much for food. I have the right to demand anything I like.
We are a democratic country after all and everyone has the same rights, right? Maybe I should just squat in my own home, refuse to pay my bond, refuse to pay taxes and just demand that I be given everything because that is how things are done around here.
And I think my only problem is that I’m voting for the wrong political party? If Glen Marikana is here to stay, by all means, but pay your rates and taxes, get your own electricity, because I can’t pay for my house and yours and please, stick to the building regulations we all have to conform by.
Don’t steal from me and keep crime out of our neighbourhood by abiding by the law. If for any reason you cannot, please leave.
