Gauteng premier David Makhura has visited Pretoria West following the “hijacking” of properties there.
The visit took place on Tuesday in Christoffel Street, to address issues facing the community.
Community activist Yusuf Abramjee said the visit followed the hijacking of more than 80 properties.
Over 80 properties have been hijacked in Pretoria West. Premier @David_Makhura has visited the area and met some of the affected owners. He has promised action & says the law will ensure that the properties are returned to their rightful owners. @SAPoliceService @GP_CommSafety pic.twitter.com/j1WyLT0gug
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) April 3, 2019
During the visit, Makhura met most of the affected owners and also the committee set up appealing for help.
Makhura promised “action” and says he would engage the police to ensure that the properties were returned “to their rightful owners”.
Chairperson of the Vision 2019 committee Ridwan Osman said properties have been hijacked in Pretoria West “for the past few months”.
“Tenants of the properties are usually approached by the hijackers and informed that the hijackers were the new owners,” Osman said.
“The hijackers then tell the tenants they will reduce their rent and if the tenants do not pay them, they intimidate and use force against them.”
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Osman said residential areas were mostly targeted.
Charges were pending at the Pretoria West police station, he said, and eviction orders had already been granted by the high court and the hijackers had been interdicted.
“We are willing to take action and will not sit back and wait for others to solve the issues,” he said.
“I am disgusted at the current service delivery we are receiving in Pretoria West.
“Vision 2019 was established to address issues in Pretoria West and to put a stop to racism against Indians,” Osman said.
Pretoria West police spokesperson Constable Sibongile Vuma said that “a couple of cases” had been opened at the station.
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“They [hijackers] have no right to the properties if they cannot produce a proof of ownership,” she said.
Police were investigating.
Makhura also visited other suburbs on Tuesday, including Sunderland Ridge, Laudium and Erasmia.
Premier @David_Makhura visited a number of businesses west of Pretoria yesterday. He also went to two factories in Sunderland Ridge @GautengProvince pic.twitter.com/o1FzVRLimm
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) April 3, 2019
Premier @David_Makhura visited the R101 “death bend” late yesterday. Safety measures are now in place. @GautengProvince @GPDRT_ @ismailvadi @pretorianews pic.twitter.com/Gb4gMg7vhG
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) April 3, 2019
He was joined by Abramjee during the full day visit to the various suburbs.
During the visit, Makhura addressed several service delivery issues facing different communities.
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Abramjee said he was delighted that the premier had returned to the area “as promised”.
“Makhura is a man of action and is a humble leader. We thank him for acting with speed and taking our concerns seriously,” he said.
A memorandum was handed to the premier about two weeks ago, he added.
“Enough is enough – we can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
He thanked other interested parties for action already taken.
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