Human Settlements confirms fence erection in Austin View to avoid land invasion
Gauteng Department of Human Settlement spokesperson Tahir Sema said the fence has no costs to them directly.
Following the eviction of illegal land grabbers from open veld in Austin View, a barbed wire fence has been erected to prevent future invasions.
This is according to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlement spokesperson Tahir Sema. The JMPD, Red Ants and other private security providers finally demolished about 5 000 shacks on the land and removed all its occupants. The land was occupied around August last year.
Sema said, “The fence in question was erected by the department’s appointed security service provider to protect the site from illegal land invasions.” He added the service provider would provide guards to safeguard the site.
Also read: Austin View residents to boycott rates if land invaders not removed
Asked how much it cost the department to fence the whole area, he said the service provider erected the fence as part of their appointment to safeguard the site.
Meanwhile, during the evictions on May 3, there were allegations by the land grabbers that JMDP officers had used rubber bullets to disperse them, and some were allegedly injured.
Also read: Human Settlement and JMPD aware of Austin View land invasion
In response, JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said, “The allegations are unfounded. The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department was not involved in any operation in the area on the mentioned day.”
Related articles: Rabie Ridge and Austin View land grabbers removed by JMPD officials, return a week later
