VEREENIGING. – A campaign to restore Vosloo Park to its former glory has led to the discovery of a hidden squatter camp, an illegal dumping ground and what appears to be a recycling station previously hidden behind thick vegetation in the park.

The discovery was made when workers finally started cutting grass in the park, which until recently has been poorly maintained by die Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM).

The drive to tidy up Vosloo Park got underway thanks to the persistent efforts of Mr Mike Maxwell, a member of the Three Rivers ward committee for parks, who pushed for much needed maintenance of the park.

During Ster North’s visit we observed at least five illegal structures near the banks of the Klip River and had previously been hidden.

The shacks are in the same location where illegal shacks had previously been removed by ELM’s by-laws department.

Squatters who are removed from the park regularly seem to find their way back shortly after their removal.

Ster North sent questions to the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s head of communications, Makhosonke Sangweni on how the municipality intends to deal with the latest resurgence of illegal land occupation.

We have not received any feedback.

Meanwhile ratepayers of the area are up in arms.

“This is horrible,” said a resident on a local WhatsApp forum.

“And no toilet facilities. It’s a health hazard. We would like to be able to walk in areas in our neighbourhood. It has become unsafe, unhygenic und totally unacceptable,” said another.

Dalene Venter, councillor for Emfuleni Ward 1, said last week she is busy attending to the matter. Residents have been asked to help come up with a solution for the ongoing problem.