Relocation unfolds for Wolwespruit inhabitants
The metro has started moving the Wolwespruit informal settlement dwellers from November 25 to their new home. The relocation is expected to last until June 31, 2025.
Following years of petitions, legal battles and failed eviction orders, relief is on the cards for both Wolwespruit dwellers and residents in the east of Pretoria.
A group of wetland invaders illegally set up an informal settlement on the corner of Solomon Mahlangu Drive and Delmas Road a few years ago.
The Tshwane metro told Rekord they had commenced with the relocation of the Wolwespruit informal settlement dwellers from November 25 and will continue relocating inhabitants of the area until June 31, 2025.
This move addresses safety, nuisance, ecological and sanitation concerns raised by residents and businesses.
The dwellers are being relocated to Pienaarspoort Ext 15 and 22.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said there are engagements with various stakeholders to aid the beneficiaries with the material to build their shacks in the new area.
The wetland inhabitants have been facing unending legal battles pushing for their removal since the illegal settlement began.
They received their last eviction notice in 2022, which was disapproved of by NPOs, NGOs and human rights organisations.
For years the removal of the land invaders had involved a lengthy drawn-out legal process, with human rights lawyers blocking every attempt of the city to evict the squatters.
The metro was instructed that if it removed the dwellers, it must provide them with suitable accommodation for all people, not only South Africans.
Residents of neighbouring suburbs Wingate Park, Elarduspark, Moreleta Park and Erasmuskloof have been calling for the informal settlement’s removal for several years.
Noise pollution, alleged staged dog fighting, ecological damage, crime and prostitution were among the issues raised.
The metro and Home Affairs Department have now reached consensus to move all the dwellers, as the metro initially had planned only to cater for South African citizens.
Mashigo said the gated land where the Wolwespruit informal settlement was set up will be cleared.
“The inhabitants are using plastic and cardboard boxes for shelter.” Every time it rains, they move their shacks around. This constant moving creates the impression for residents in the surrounding areas there is a new invasion, according to Mashigo.
“The city appointed a service provider to monitor and prevent the land invasion throughout the municipality’s jurisdiction including prevention of the growth of the informal settlement on Wolwespruit.”
Mashigo said the city, through the Community Safety Department and TMPD, will conduct continuous operations in the area to prevent noise, crime and unnecessary pollution.
Wolvespruit resident Lejona Mafola (67) from Lesotho said, “If anyone wants to move us, they must take us to a better place. We are happy here despite the lack of other services. We can work and provide for our families.”
He said he would be going home in December and returning in January 2025.
“We are not criminals. We respect the law and we are just here because of the proximity to industrials and prospect opportunities,” he said.
Thabang Maluleka is one of the longstanding members of the community who have been there since its establishment.
Maluleka said the city has been promising to move them for years and nothing happened.
“Following various empty promises, the city finally took us to view a place in Mamelodi in December 2023, but nothing has materialised.”
He said he is looking forward to moving to a permanent stand where he can build a proper dwelling.
Elaine Battle, a community member, said it has been long overdue and the dwellers need to be moved.
“I have had enough of the total disrespect and disregard of my rights as a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen for about 50 years.”
Battle said many issues have been discussed and brought to the table for years but nothing solid has transpired.
“We have lost hope in the city, they said the dwellers were going to be moved in October, then November 15, but irrespective of all the other promises in the past, obviously nothing transpired.”
Battle said after years of literally no sleep over weekends because of shebeens at the camp, and the smoke that hovers over the surrounding area, the settlement needs to close down.
“Our elderly community have been suffering from sinus problems due to toxins burned. The crime we all have experienced by the plastic pickers with no regard to litter, noise and their bulging bags on corners and pushing them in our streets with no regard to traffic. To have to call out animal specialists to raid the area due to syndicates for dog fighting but because they are quick, they are not caught in the act.”
Battle said the area where the dwellers set up their dwellings should be protected as it is a wetland.
“I would not like to see what the wetland actually looks like as they use the area as washing and toilet facilities. It must be disgusting. Not to mention our depreciation of our homes and the amount of monies we have spent on upgrading our security.”
She said the relocation of the dwellers should have been done months ago.
“This has gone on for far too long. Promises and promises and nothing materialises. We hope the people be moved already.”
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