Squatters invade greenbelt area in Heeren Street
A concerned resident reached out to the Vryheid Herald to report illegal squatters occupying the corners of Heeren and Mason streets. The squatters have set up shelters using tarps and tree stumps, strategically placing them in the bushy area to conceal their presence from the public. A journalist contacted Ward Councillor Cllr Elaine Rodway, who said she was currently engaged in discussions with the mayor regarding the issue.
Rodway said, 'Over the past few weeks, there have been several reports of instances where residents have noticed shacks being erected in this area. According to my knowledge, I do not believe permission was granted for this land to be occupied and it seems highly unlikely that makeshift shacks would comply with any building codes in place under the NBRBS Act [National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act]. Section 4(1) of the NBRBS Act strictly prohibits the erection of any building without drawn plans and the prior approval of the municipality.
'It is imperative that the municipality take quick and decisive action when these occupations take place to avoid possible legal ramifications which could occur if the matter is not attended to with some semblance of urgency.
'With all that being said, however, it is also important to acknowledge the plight of the homeless with a sense of compassion and humanity. I hope we can find a resolution that may offer an alternative for the provision of temporary emergency accommodation, if possible. I am still very much in favour of establishing a much-needed homeless shelter in AbaQulusi and I believe this incident highlights the need for it. I believe the mayor is investigating the matter, but no feedback was available at the time of going to print.'
According to the South African government website, both state land (land under the control of a national or provincial government or municipality) and privately-owned land can be invaded unlawfully.
Government has a constitutional duty to ensure – where required and with available resources – that all citizens can enjoy their basic rights to access to land and housing. Where large-scale invasions occur, government has a similar duty to assist private landowners to protect their land.
Where unlawful occupiers (whose basic rights are not at risk) have to be evicted, the private land owner must, without delay, approach the court for an eviction order in terms of the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act, 1998 (Act 19 of 1998). This law is currently administered by the Department of Human Settlements and will be transferred to the Department of Rural Development & Land Reform (DRDLR) in due course.
Individuals in need of housing can approach the local municipality or, if necessary, the provincial or national Department of Human Settlements for assistance.
ALSO READ: Illegal dumping, litter and sewage chokes Ncandu River
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These include a deconstruction of the false charge that Leon's father had been responsible for sentencing the ANC operative Solomon Mahlangu to death years ago. In particular, Leon's experiences as an ambassador in Argentina during the desperate days in that country's last (so far) Peronista regime are particularly interesting, as Leon positions them as a cautionary tale of what happens when a country augers towards the ground economically and politically. Of special interest to this reader (because of his own experiences) were Leon's non-specialist but trenchant observations on Japan after visiting there. Japan has surmounted its World War 2 experience (and managed to put much of the resulting horrors aside), even as it continues to embrace many ancient traditions together with its contemporary political and economic policies designed for the benefit of a majority of its citizens. Beyond the book, our conversation also covered other topics, key among them being the current difficulties between the US and South Africa. I ask Leon who he thinks should be South Africa's ambassador to the US, or, perhaps, what kind of person should they be? Leon observes that the ambassadorial role has been diminished over the years (the recent presidents' meeting had no ambassadors present from either nation, as would usually have been the case in a meeting between two national presidents). Beyond the traditional diplomatic roles, more and more, Leon says, the job of an ambassador is to be their country's chief salesperson, instead of one of those old-style diplomats. Any new South African ambassador assigned to Washington will have a difficult policy to sell, especially given the two countries' Middle East positions. A key question now is that the Trumpian dog whistle to its Maga constituents is over DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and, by extension, over South Africa's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment policies. Speculating in the immediate wake of the presidential meeting, he notes that the approach of a possible equity equivalent for Starlink operations in South Africa may lead to changing the discussion. (Of course, crime is something that is always in the air in any discussions about South Africa, and it came up in that presidents' meeting as well. It was instructive, per Leon, that rebuttals about crime in that meeting came from a white South African billionaire.) We turn to the often-repeated accusation that the DA has a problem with black leaders. Leon responds that it is unfair to call every black leader's departure from DA leadership roles a failure of black leadership in the party. People leave political bodies for many reasons. However, he adds that the party needs to make it easier and more enticing for expatriated South Africans to return to the country and make real contributions. What of the DA's future? Leon says he is most interested in matters of policy rather than party management, as he is no longer an officer-holder. He believes that by being in the GNU, the DA has improved its legitimacy and prospects with many people. Its participation in the GNU has made it more 'kosher,' so to speak, and it may well gain further traction. He thinks that if the DA can maintain this trend, it will grow even as the ANC continues to make further reversals in support. The key question, of course, is how he views South Africa's future. Leon argues that most countries, except for places like Afghanistan or Sudan, don't explode or disintegrate. He acknowledges that there still is a lot of ruin in South Africa, but citizen action is stepping forward wherever it can. Taken as a whole, Leon seems cautiously optimistic about the country's future prospects, regardless of its current problems and its challenges. DM
