Councillor calls for immediate action against vagrancy
Key areas have become hotspots for illegal activities including drug deals, unlicensed businesses and public drinking.
The Ward 50 councillor Lenise Breytenbach in Sinoville, north of Pretoria has issued a plea for intervention as vagrancy continues to spiral out of control in the community.
In recent months, squatters have increasingly occupied public and business spaces, leading to a surge in disorder.
Key areas, such as around the Roman’s Pizza at the Sefako Makgatho Drive and busy intersections like Marija and Matlabas streets, have become hotspots for illegal activities including drug deals, unlicensed businesses and public drinking.
Breytenbach, echoing the frustrations of residents, has demanded stronger law enforcement and immediate intervention to tackle this growing problem.
Despite numerous reports, little action has been taken to address illegal squatting, leaving residents feeling unsafe and unprotected.
She said the community must join forces with the local Community Policing Forum (CPF) to enhance safety and push for stronger accountability from authorities.
“We cannot wait for this issue to escalate further.
Illegal squatting is not just a nuisance; it’s fuelling criminal activity and making our community unsafe. We need all stakeholders including residents to step up and reclaim Ward 50.
Among the most concerning hotspots is the area surrounding ’Pizza, where illegal squatters have entrenched themselves despite repeated clean-up efforts,” she said.
According to Breytenbach, vagrancy in the area has been compounded by criminal behaviour, such as drug deals by individuals who pose as car guards, adding an extra layer of danger for residents and businesses alike.
“We’ve cleaned up time and again, but the squatters come back, and the community deserves better,” emphasised Breytenbach.
She has pushed for a crackdown on illegal businesses that have proliferated throughout the ward, particularly in areas like Marija and Antun streets, where unlicensed vendors are conducting operations without any regulatory oversight.
“I have proposed several community-driven solutions, including joining the CPF for real-time communication during emergencies, participating in clean-up campaigns, and reporting all incidents to law enforcement.
We cannot tackle this alone, we must stand together and fight for a better environment.”
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