The notorious Beaconsfield Street plot is being cleared today. A TLB was dispatched to clear the rubble, under the supervision of contractor Yusuf Kader, who was tasked by the property owner to oversee the cleanup process.

Previous attempts to clear the plot were put on hold after vagrants, who had taken residence at the back of the property, threatened the workers. However, Kader confirmed that the shacks will be cleared, as the plot is private property, and those living there were trespassing. A new palisade fence will soon be erected around the plot to ensure there is no more squatting.

Kader also called on nearby businesses, including shops and a supermarket across the road, to stop dumping vegetable waste and other rubbish in the area, which has contributed to the site’s deteriorating condition.

The plot has long been a source of concern for local residents, especially after the death of a man in a shack on the property earlier this year. This incident reignited public outrage, prompting nearby residents and the management of the Eventide Home to call for urgent action.

During a visit two months ago, Mayor Mkhize expressed his shock upon discovering that over 50 people were living in plastic shelters on the plot. The overgrown and neglected area had become a haven for vagrants, often referred to as ‘paras’, who are linked to criminal activities such as copper pipe theft.

The cleanup marks a long-awaited resolution to the growing concerns about the site, offering hope for a safer and cleaner environment for nearby residents.

See video of the plot being cleared today on Beaconsfield Street:

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