VANDERBIJLPARK. – Dozens of upset residents converged on the corner of Hendrik van Eck and Andries Potgieter Boulevard this afternoon threatening to tear down and burn illegal structures being erected on a stretch of open land next to the Sasol filling station. The piece of land is supposedly demarcated for development, but the illegal “contractors” were later forced by the Police by Law Unit to break down the structures.

Bystanders threatened to burn the structures. According to the “contractors” they were paid by someone to build the structures and had to fend for themselves as angry residents lashed out at them. According to them, they had no plans of staying there. “We were paid to build the structures. We don’t want to stay here,” said one of the builders.

“These squatters must leave now or we will burn the place. If they are allowed to stay our property will devaluate,” said an angry resident.