WATCH: Ever-growing settlement worries residents

SOME Moffat View residents say that the Springbok informal settlement is making them feel unsafe.

Residents claim that since the establishment of the settlement in 2005, their belongings have been stolen and the smell coming from the settlement is unbearable.

According to the complaining residents, various criminal activities are taking place inside the settlement and they are victims of those crimes.

They also claim that nothing good has come out of the settlement, and there are even claims of Moffat View residents losing their lives.

One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the settlement is devaluing their properties and day by day the shacks keep expanding and new shacks are being built.

“I don’t say all the people staying there are bad, but we don’t want this on our doorstep. They urinate all over and we can’t even walk past the settlement because our health will be at risk or we may get robbed,” said the resident.

Residents feel ill-treated because their electrical cables get stolen, whereas before the settlement was established such occurrences were rare.

“We love our place. Before the settlement dwellers came here it was peaceful, but now it is bad. Our children can’t continue living in places like these where crimes are committed in daylight. Something must be done,” said the resident.

Springbok residents

One resident from the settlement, who wished to remain anonymous, said they don’t want to live in the settlement but they have nowhere else to go.

“We don’t promote what other residents of the settlement are doing to Moffat View residents, but we are also struggling and we need shelters to survive. We must not be counted among the troublemakers.

“When being told what other people from the settlement are doing, like stealing, it pains me.

“We are also not safe. Our lives are a risk because every day people keep coming into the settlement,” said the resident.

Councillor responds

Councillor Faeeza Chame said residents know very well who the troublemakers in the settlement are and they should be reported to Moffat View police.

“The land is a privately owned property. The owner is Mr Baartman. On several occasions he has tried to get the land back through the courts.

“As far as the smell is concerned, I will notify the environmental health department to inspect the property,” said Chame.

Chame told the COURIER that the land was used by a security company owned by Baartman, and some of the residents staying there now were employed by the company.

The COURIER tried to reach Baartman, but without success.

People’s thoughts

SIHLE MTSHALI: “Some people are there because they need a place to stay. But those who use the place to commit crimes must be brought to book.”

LINDOKUHLE HLONGWANE: “I don’t think the people staying should be removed, but a plan must be made for them. To Moffat View residents, they need to find those who are causing problems and have them arrested.”

GIFT NDLOVU: “There must be a solution regarding the matter because if these residents continue fighting some people will lose their lives.”