Finding a solution for the illegal foreign residents in the notorious Plastic View informal settlement is hampering Tshwane metro’s intention of evicting all occupants from the eye-sore in affluent areas east of Pretoria.
The High Court in Pretoria ordered the metro in September to evict all residents within ten days, but practicalities such as finding alternative accommodation for residents and the problem of foreigners had made it impossible to comply with the order immediately.
“We are working closely with the metro to reach an agreement on the way forward. We have great understanding for the problems facing them regarding the lawful and orderly eviction of the Plastic View residents,” said Mariza Oelofse, the attorney representing four home owners’ associations affected by the existence of the squatter camp on their doorstep.
But Oelofse, from the firm Salomé le Roux Attorneys, was positive that a concrete solution would be agreed upon soon.
“We decided to work closely with the metro and to assist them with the process where and when we can,” she said.
Although she could not confirm details, Oelofse said she was aware that the metro was attempting to find some solution in conjunction with the department of home affairs about the illegal foreigners residing in Plastic View.
The court order that eviction notices must be served on all Plastic View residents, made by Judge Hans Fabricius, brought to an end a drawn-out saga involving legal battles, heated debate and controversy over the squatter camp since 2006 when police burnt down the informal dwellings at the settlement.
However, with the assistance of the Tswelopele non-profit organization, the squatters turned to the court that ordered Tshwane metro to rebuild the shacks. Plastic View, home to some 1 000 informal settlers, is situated on metro land.
While it appears that the Plastic View issue would be finalised – albeit not this year – residents in other areas of the upmarket eastern suburbs were facing similar problems with new informal settlements mushrooming in the area.
Some 400 squatters had settled in a make-shift camp on the corner of Solomon Mahlangu Drive and Delmas Road, using a natural stream, the Wolwespruit, for their ablution and cooking needs.
Close to the prestigious Woodhill Golf Estate, another illegal settlement had blossomed, referred to as “Cemetery View” as it is situated right next to the Pretoria East Cemetery. Currently the residents of about 350 shacks are using a tap in the cemetery for water.
Democratic Alliance councillor Francois Bekker earlier warned that the homeless people in the city was a ticking time bomb.
He said people were moving to Pretoria at an alarming rate while the city had no holistic housing and job creation plan in place to accommodate the influx.
The metro could not immediately give comment on the Plastic View issue.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Like Rekord on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Read: Shackland on estate’s doorstep growing fast
Plastic View formalisation woes
