Informal settlers dig in
MARLBORO GARDENS – Attempts to stop people building shacks on private land by Metro officers are unsuccessful.
Residents of Setwetlwa Informal Settlement in Marlboro Gardens took matters into their own hands by building new shacks on a piece of unused privately-owned property on 1 April.
Equipped with spades and various other tools, residents cut down foliage and laid foundations for their new shacks which will act as an extension of the current informal settlement.
Resident Prudence Modiselle said that this follows numerous calls for assistance and service at the settlement adding, “We have waited too long and no one has helped us. So we will build everything ourselves.”
Modiselle added that the residents have gathered wood and other materials and began building the shacks on 31 March. She said that the current shacks are not conducive to healthy living conditions in a settlement which she described as very unsafe to live in.
On the morning of 1 April, Metro police were present at the building site to stop the residents’ work.
Spokesperson for Metro police, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the actions of the Setwetlwa residents was illegal. He said, “The erecting of any structures on private land that has not been purchased or with no agreement is illegal.
“Metro police officers will remove any structures that have been erected and if there are any threats to the community, officers will be in the area to monitor the situation.”
When the residents discovered that Metro police were in Marlboro Gardens, they gathered and shouted ‘Zuma must fall’. Metro officers tried to negotiate with the settlers to get them to leave, however, they were unsuccessful. One Setwetlwa resident said they will resume building.
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