Eersterust residents angry over ‘illegal land grab’
A number of shacks were erected last night, causing residents to panic.
Angry residents blocked the roads leading into Eersterust with rocks and burning tyres on Wednesday morning, in protest against illegal land invasion.
Eersterust ward councillor Benjamin Lawrence condemned the land occupation, calling the alleged invaders “opportunists”.
“A number of shacks were erected last night, causing residents to panic. There are people who claim to own the land here and are using the criminal element to push their agenda, this is not right,” he said.
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Lawrence said that the issue of housing needed to be addressed with the Tshwane metro and department of housing.
“These people take advantage of the vulnerable community. Our elders are panicking because crime is increasing at an alarming rate. All I’m asking is for the parties involved to come together. We can’t use crime to address each other,” he said.
One of the community members who did not want to be named said the situation escalated early in the morning when residents burned tyres and blocked the roads after the land was occupied.
“The community feels neglected here and we are venting our anger and frustration at the city of Tshwane. We need proper housing for the people here and we’ve been waiting for years for new development but there’s been nothing,” he said.
About 50 shacks were demolished on Wednesday morning, by police.
Tshwane metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba confirmed the land grab but did not give further details.
No injuries were reported.
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