Sinoville residents worried about illegal squatters
Residents say the parks are a major concern for children’s safety.
Residents of Sinoville in the north of Pretoria are worried that illegal squatters are becoming common to the area.
Patricia Rose is concerned that even though the squatters are chased away, they always find a way of coming back.
“The main issue here is that these people keep on coming back and there is little that we [residents] can do about the issue we are facing.
These people sleep in our parks, it’s unacceptable.”
The illegal squatters occupied parks and were at Trim Park in Vinko Street and in Jan Booysen Park in Jan Booysen and Ford Street.
Rose said since the winter, the illegal squatters make fires and pollute the parks.
“We have reported them, the police and the metro people come to chase them [away] but they come back when the dust has settled.
These fires are a hazard, a major risk to the health of community members and our children are at risk because parks are made for the public to come and relax,” said Rose.
Another resident Mike Booysen told Rekord that the only reason the squatters would not to come back is if the government provided them shelter.
“Get those people shelter, that’s the only way to prevent them from coming back.
It’s winter now for heaven’s sake, let’s be kind to one another because they are also human beings.
The Department of Social Development must intervene and see what the best way forward regarding these people is,” said Booysen.
Ward 50 councillor Lenise Breytenbach said the community must work together to keep the parks clean and fresh.
“The other problem we have is those illegal vendors setting up shop on the side of the road.
We know that it’s illegal to operate there, especially if you don’t have a permit or licence to operate,” said Breytenbach.
The metro had not responded to Rekord’s enquiries at the time of publishing.
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