TIME TO HALT THE LAWLESSNESS IN BLIKKIESDORP

THIRTY Blikkiesdorp residents, including young children, took refuge in a church. They fled the area in fear of being killed.

The authorities must address this very serious situation urgently. Blikkiesdorp was established as a temporary relocation area in 2007. It was meant to accommodate a few hundred backyard dwellers who had illegally occupied houses constructed under the N2 Gateway project.

Then-DA councillor Frank Martin “led” the invasion after it became clear “his people” – applicants on the housing waiting list for years – were being overlooked. Martin was subsequently fired. Blikkiesdorp, as its first residents dubbed it, has since morphed into a shanty town. It accommodates thousands who are waiting for homes. Residents described it as a hell-hole.

There’s nothing temporary about Blikkiesdorp any more. Crime is out of control. A new phenomenon has reared its head. Vigilantes who ostensibly want to drive out drug lords and gangsters are terrorising some residents with the intention of replacing them on the housing list.

Residents say four people were killed in the space of a week. Dwellings have been destroyed. This lawlessness must be stopped immediately.

Soon-to-be-mayor Dan Plato held the housing portfolio at the time and was instrumental in setting up Blikkiesdorp. The City must take charge of Blikkiesdorp and the police must make arrests. Nobody must be allowed to exploit the housing crisis.

The last thing needed is for families with children to run for their lives.

Peace.