This week we look at the Advertiser’s February 3, 2006, edition.
• CBD squatters infuriate residents
About 20 vagrants are illegally squatting in an open area behind the Springs Senior Citizens Club.
Seniors complain the squatters are a constant nuisance.
Martie Potgieter, a senior at the club, said police have come to take the squatters away only for them to return shortly afterwards.
Potgieter also alleges the squatters shout and smoke dagga.
Potgieter said: “At one stage they tried to break into the clubhouse by cutting through the fence. Our dogs can’t stop barking at the constant noise they are making. They also collect rubbish from the town and come and dump it here.”
Also read: Delving into the past
Apparently the matter has been brought to the attention of ward councillor Anna Gous, who has apparently not dealt with the situation.
One squatter, Lucky Mkhwanazi, said family problems have forced him to move here.
Secretary of Camp Soup Kitchen Patti McCaroher faced similar problems and said: “We do not know who these people are or where they came from.
“Initially, they were sleeping on the farmer’s property.
“They chopped down one of his trees and used it as fire wood.”
Ekurhuleni metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said they are aware of the situation and are doing everything possible to rid the area of squatters.
• Derelict building now thug’s hide-out
A derelict building on the corner of Eighth Avenue and Ninth Street has become a regular hideout for criminals.
A month ago, a woman was hijacked and robbed of her personal belongings in front of the building, while detectives Makwakwa and Ezekiel Ntshagase found a man gagged with Sellotape and tied with a rope in front of the building.
The victim was assaulted and robbed of his cellphone and R5 000, said the detectives.
The police urge the public to avoid going near the building.
Also read: Delving into the past
• Poverty alleviation summit
The Ekurhuleni metro is to host a Restruction and Development Summit which will take place at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.
This follows an effort to improve the local economy and create more job opportunities in the area, which has an unemployment rate of 40 per cent.
Following hot on the heels of October’s retail and property development summit, this summit will provide the metro with an opportunity to interact with service providers on issues of development and other related matters.
It will highlight key prospects and strategic public capital investment opportunities in infrastructure such as roads and rail as well as connector services to public buildings including housing across Ekurhuleni.
The ultimate objective is to promote public/private partnerships and growing the economy to improve the welfare of all.
This gathering is also expected to beneath the previously disadvantaged in terms of joint ventures and small medium and micro enterprises while promoting black economic empowerment.
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