Illegal dwellings a major problem in Erasmia

Residents in Erasmia are frustrated with the growing problem of illegal dwellings in their area.

These illegal dwellings have increased recently and residents claim they have been the cause of various problems.

“The sudden increase in population is putting a tremendous amount of strain on the local infrastructure, namely electricity and sewage,” they say.

Residents are especially concerned about one particular property in Van Dyk Street where many illegal houses have been erected.

“We in sector 3 Erasmia work very hard to keep our area safe.

“It’s not fair that someone puts up illegal sub-economic, cheaply built houses and rents them out to the underprivileged with large numbers of them residing at this property.

“We are not safe and crime in the area is increasing. Something needs to be done about this place as soon as possible,” said resident Rizwana Ebrahim.

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Many residents also feel that this was exploitative behaviour on the part of the property owner.

“I do not have much to say except that it is beyond my comprehension. It is horrible to see how human greed can drive one human to exploit the vulnerability of another,” said one resident, Azhar Jassat.

“In this case, a single man is capitalising at the expense of the less-privileged by offering them sub-economic housing that can only be described as less than squalor for mere monetary gains.

“This is not only dehumanising and immoral but also ethically, religiously and legally intolerable.

“As a community, we cannot, should not and definitely must not allow such inhumanity to flourish within our midst,” said Jassat.
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Ward councillor Shakil Bhaktawer said the situation has become unacceptable and will push for solutions.

“It has become a major issue in Erasmia and people are getting fed up.

“I went to the property and I saw all the shacks or as they are sometimes called backyard dwellings and there are up to 10 people living in one of these, which is just unacceptable.

“It is also putting a lot of unnecessary strain on the existing infrastructure like electricity and sewage which has become the cause of a lot of frustration.

Bhaktawer said another major issue was illegal dumping in the area.

“Due to so many people living on one property, they have a lot more refuse and waste and have to dump it in the surrounding areas.

The council is now hard at work to enforce by-laws to try and stop this from happening in our area,” he said.

A criminal case has been opened against the property owner.

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