Pretoria West shacks go up in flames
Community members of Philip Nel Park set alight shacks of alleged prostitutes living near their homes during a protest on Saturday.
Shacks in Philip Nel Park west of Pretoria were set alight at the weekend by residents set on rooting out illegal squatting in their vicinity.
About 100 people gathered on the scene on Saturday to clean up the area. They contended that prostitutes living in the shacks were plying their trade in the area. The spots targeted for the raid by residents were Philip Nel Park near Quagga Centre, the Gold Club and a stream near Rebecca Street.
Co-ordinator Robert Mabusela said bushes along the stream just behind the parking lot of Quagga Centre were cleared and shacks put up by illegal squatters burned down. The raid continued to a bridge on Rebecca Street right up to the stream close to the Tshwane Market.
“The protest was successful. This could not have happened without the community who came out in numbers to show that they are prepared to fight against crime and various issues which affect their peace. This would also not have happened without the help of the metro police,” Mabusela said.
“The side shacks belonging to prostitutes were also burned down. During the march, the community arrested seven prostitutes and four other suspects.”
Mabusela said the women were taken to the police station, but police said there was nothing the police could do and they were released.
“The metro police assisted us from the morning right until the end of the march where those who were apprehended were taken to the Pretoria West police station. ”
The Philip Nel Park residents have been complaining about problems with prostitution and crime in the area they raided, and have started their own anti-crime patrols. Police spokesperson Constable Lerato Ngomane denied last week that prostitution was a problem.
Mabusela said residents would continue working together to improve their own circumstances.
The metro would be asked to help clear trees and other plantation in the area where squatters had built their shacks.
“And we the need the police to increase their visibility in our area. We also expect the government to assist in erecting a wall or fence in between the community and the N4. This will help us control and monitor what is happening within our community,” said Mabusela.
Pretoria West police spokesperson Captain Bonginkosi Msimango said: “The police went to the clean up and they were told by the residents that they will bring the alleged prostitutes to the police station. The allegation that they brought the people to the police is false. Nobody came to the police station.”
Rekord was awaiting a comment from the metro police at the time of going to print.
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