Residents said the informal settlement is expanding and the situation is getting out of hand, especially because Hoedspruit is a big tourist area. They said the shacks do not look attractive to tourists and maintain this will have a negative impact on the local economy. Taking to social media, some residents said the area is filthy as there is litter literally everywhere.

They called the area a crime and drug nest and called for the Maruleng Local Municipality (MLM) to intervene. Some said it was unacceptable that it is allowed in their beautiful town while they pay rates and taxes. Some residents called for environmental groups and recycling companies to intervene in creating a green area.

Some residents were siding with the residents of Plastic View saying the people staying there are paid well as no one earning a decent minimum wage would like to live in such conditions. One resident said if there was affordable housing in the area this could been avoided.

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“There is no affordable housing in Hoedspruit. Property rates are inflated due to the premiums on wildlife properties, so that a cottage or flat costs twice as much as in adjoining towns” said the resident. In October last year, some residents of Plastic View informal settlement were left without homes after their shacks were engulfed by fire. One person was injured and rushed to hospital and about 14 shacks were destroyed.

Mopani District Municipality (MDM) dispatched its disaster management team to assist the families whose shacks were destroyed. MLM mayor, Happy Thobejane, also reached out to the affected families by donating blankets, food hampers and cooking pots in her own capacity. During her address to the victims, the mayor acknowledged the issues raised and committed to submitting their issues to the municipal council. The Herald contacted the municipality to get their stance on the matter, however, at the time of going to print they had not responded.