Residents of the Plastic View and Cemetery View informal settlements are planning to relocate to an open piece of land adjacent to Woodlands Mall in a bid to improve living conditions and reduce the growing number of fatal shack fires.

The proposal, which is currently under consultation within the two communities, would see both settlements merged into a single, better-organised informal settlement while residents continue waiting for the long-promised Pretorius Park Ext 40 housing development.

Leader of both settlements, Banele Tsuku, said the proposed relocation is driven by safety concerns rather than land occupation.

“We are still in the consultation phase, and once that process is complete, we intend moving to the larger piece of land where we can create proper streets and allocate adequate yard space for every household,” Tsuku told Rekord.

He said the current layout of the settlements makes them highly vulnerable to devastating fires because shacks are built too close together using highly flammable materials.

He said they plan to have the shacks in blocks so that they can be easily managed.

“If we can maybe have 15 shacks or 20 per block, then we know how to manage the settlement and the layout will be sustainable.”

Tsuku added that they have the assistance of lawyers in their corner.

“Should the city try to stop us or threaten us with the law, we have lawyers on our side. And we know that if they want to evict us, they should provide us with a proper land and serviced stands, which they promised a decade ago and nothing is coming to pass,” Tsuku explained.

He said the current living conditions are bad and that people are dying.

“We have lost our loved ones, kids, mothers and brothers due to recurring fire incidents, which should have been a wake-up call to Tshwane to relocate people before more lives are lost.”

Tsuku said that the proposed move to Ext 40 is just an illusion, and a song to silence people who are trying to ask the municipality about the informal settlement saga.

“They always sing of Ext 40, which we do not know or see; it is used to keep us silenced, but at the same time, lives continue to be lost.”

Tsuku further alleged that they have written to the Human Settlements Department and the Mayor regarding their concerns, but have not received a meaningful response.

“We only see them when there’s a fire or when people have lost their lives, but addressing our concerns its not a concern for them. Most of us here are South Africans [who are] only here due to being close to economic opportunities.”

Tsuku said after consultations and meetings within the settlements, a decision will be made.

Living conditions in the settlements are hazardous, with frequent shack fires causing deaths, injuries and trauma, particularly among children.

“People are dying because of fires. Children are growing up traumatised, not knowing if they will return home to find their families safe after school,” he said.

Some residents have lived in the area since 1988, long before nearby developments such as Woodlands Boulevard, Woodhill Estate, and Mooikloof Estate were built.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the request by the community will not be accepted. Plastic View was established in terms of a court order, and the city is implementing that court order.

“The city is also engaging with the National Department of Home Affairs regarding the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals residing in Plastic View before June 30.”

He emphasised that the metro has not received any correspondence from residents or representatives of Plastic View.

“The city does not support and will not approve the proposed occupation of the land adjacent to Woodlands Mall.”

Mashigo said that with regard to Ext 40, the tender documentation will be advertised for the procurement of a contractor to install the water and sewer infrastructure.

“The project specifications have been considered and recommended by the Bid Specifications Committee.”

He said the city requests residents not to extend their shacks in order to maintain adequate spacing between structures, which helps to reduce the risk of fire spreading.

“Qualifying residents of Plastic View and Cemetery View will be allocated houses in Pretorius Park Ext 40 once the development has been completed.”

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