Squatters set up home on private land
BRYANSTON- The residents of Knightsbridge Village retirement home are alarmed that a squatter camp is developing on a neighbouring property.
The village is situated alongside the highway between William Nicol Drive and Rivonia Road. Squatters are setting up home on land belonging to South African National Roads Agency.
Chairperson of the board of trustees for the village, Martin Nealis Mealin said,”Initially it was just one person who made his home there, but this has rapidly expanded to a group of at least 12 people who arrive at night and cook their evening meal and cause a significant amount of smoke.”
Mealin has reported the problem to the police, the roads agency and the municipality several times.
“They have been moved in the past, but just return or else new people arrive,” said Mealin.
The retirement village has experienced burglaries in the past, but the trustees are more concerned with the ongoing fires that the squatters make. They are concerned the squatters’ activity will become a fire hazard to surrounding properties.
Stephen Moore of Ward 106 said, “I am aware of the squatters. They are everywhere.”
Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for the Metro police said she could not remove squatters off private property. “If they [trustees] get a court order we can assist with the issue,” said Mamonyane.
South African National Roads Agency could not be reached for comment.
