Increased land grabs disrupt services
VARIOUS land invasions took place across Cape Town as winter settles in and rain brings discomfort.
In Samora Machel, more than 150 people marked their plots and erected structures. In Khayelitsha, residents were gearing up to build shacks and illegally occupy a piece of land.
Cape Town Law Enforcement’s Wayne Dyason said: “In Khayalitsha 100 people have marked off the land. Protest action is taking place on the N2 and we understand it’s related to service delivery. Officers are on scene.”
Dyason said that officials were also despatched to the Kosovo informal settlement near Philippi where another land invasion was under way.
Dyason said they will continue to monitor the situation.
The City’s mayoral committee member of safety and security JP Smith said the land invasions are extremely problematic.
“It is soaking up massive resources because we cannot respond to crime and it’s depriving people in areas where gangs are operating and violence is rife,” Smith said. He has received personal phone calls from the public where residents live in constant fear. “I’ve requested that metro police assist but because they are so occupied by this (land invasions) they’ve told me they are too busy thereby depriving people who are in desperate need of assistance.”
In the past four months areas such as Du Noon, Vrygrond, Hermanus, Mitchells Plain, Parkwood, Ocean View, Gugulethu and Gansbaai were severely affected by land grabs and housing protests.
Smith said that although people have genuine concerns he believes there is a political motive.
“There are protests I believe that people are involved in that have legitimate social problems and demand adequate services to be delivered; however, I do believe that people are using this opportunity to drive a certain political agenda.”
Smith said he foresees land invasions will continue until elections next year.