Remaining Wolwespruit squatters to face action under invasion policy
Authorities have confirmed that remaining squatters near Wolwespruit will be removed in line with the city’s existing land invasion policies, as no further relocations are planned.
The Tshwane metro has committed to dealing with the squatters who have settled outside the secured Wolwespruit wetland area through the TMPD and implementation of its land invasion prevention strategy.
The move comes after the metro began the eviction of residents from the Wolwespruit wetland on July 11, relocating only 70 South African nationals to Pienaarspoort.
According to the metro, these individuals were the only ones officially registered during a survey conducted prior to the relocation process.
However, concerns have arisen after about 30 South Africans who were not counted during the initial survey have now erected makeshift structures in surrounding areas just outside the secured wetland on Solomon Mahlangu and Delmas Road.
These squatters claim to have nowhere else to go, a situation that has sparked frustration among local ratepayers.
Despite earlier promises that all South African residents at Wolwespruit would be relocated, the metro has clarified that only those verified during the official registration process were moved.
The metro said that the remaining individuals will be dealt with in accordance with existing land invasion policies.
Spokesperson Selby Bokaba clarified that the 70 South Africans were documented in 2021, and formed part of the official relocation plan.
“The city prevented any further invasion and growth of the Wolwespruit settlement from that date,” he said.
Reports have since emerged that about 30 South African citizens remain stranded outside the now-secured wetland.
Bokaba acknowledged the presence of the squatters but said they had arrived after hearing that South Africans would be relocated.
“It is unfortunate that these are individuals who came for the opportunity of receiving stands,” he said.
He said they are trying to get access to temporary accommodation by creating the impression that the metro made an error and had not relocated all South Africans.
“Currently, there is no plan in place to accommodate those who were not part of the original group.”
According to Bokaba, remaining individuals will be dealt with through the city’s land invasion prevention strategy, which is being implemented by the TMPD.
Bokaba added that the wetland property, has been handed over to the Public Investment Corporation, and security measures are now in place to prevent any further settlement.
He also confirmed that the relocation process for Wolwespruit residents is complete, with no further relocations planned.
“Long-term solutions for those still residing near the area are not on the table, and the city maintains that the area will be secured and protected from further invasion.”
However, local ratepayers are calling on the city’s human settlement department to remove the squatters camping outside the Wolwespruit wetland.
A resident, Allison Hayward, said while the relocation brought initial relief, the process has been deeply flawed – particularly the failure to account for all South Africans who had been living there.
She said the Human Settlements department originally registered only 70 South Africans for relocation to Pienaarspoort.
“However, an estimated 30 more citizens, overlooked in the planning, are now stranded.”
She said the squatters now occupy an area that is not suitable for habitation.
“It is a public sidewalk space meant for pedestrian use. The conditions are unhygienic, unsafe, and already showing signs of deterioration,” she explained.
Hayward said residents are now not only dealing with the costly and time-consuming rehabilitation of the Wolwespruit wetland, but may now have to to fix pavements if swift action is not taken.
“We simply can’t allow the people to reside on the sidewalks as this will just lead to the growth again and become Wolwespruit 2.0.
“We are proud of our neighbourhood, and urgent intervention is required in this matter to finalise and close this eviction process once and for all.”
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