Cape Town - Backyarders from various townships marked plots on an open piece of land in Philippi on Wednesday, saying they were tired of waiting for housing.
The group used sticks, pangas and pegs to mark off pieces of land where they plan to erect structures near the Joe Gqabi transport terminus off Stock Road.
The residents were from Langa, Gugulethu, Samora Machel and Site C, and received help from community leaders.
One of the leaders, Joseph Makeleni, said they would continue to assist residents who wanted to invade open land.
“Law Enforcement and police came to remove us, but we were peaceful and some of the people left and others stayed.
“People have been waiting for housing for a long time, they are on the database for a long time and nothing is happening.”
Makeleni said they would continue to take land as a way to make the city notice them and their need for housing and proper service delivery.
“We feel rejected by the government and we will provoke them until they give us services.
“It is the only way to get their attention, by taking over the land that they boast about but don’t use.”
Makeleni said most of the privately owned land belonged to “rich white businessmen”, which was unfair.
Charmaine Mkoni, a community leader from the Marikana informal settlement, said they were forced to fight for themselves as their elected councillors were not doing much about their lack of housing and service delivery.
“We are planning on sleeping here because people are entitled to have spaces and housing.
“We will help each other to put up shacks and stay here,” Mkoni said.
City Law Enforcement spokesman Neil Arendse said they responded to the invasion but it was quiet and no serious incidents were reported.
Arendse said they remained in the area and officers were also focusing on other land invasion hotspots.
“Even though some of the land is privately owned, at some point it becomes a city problem. When the owner doesn’t do anything about it (invaders), the city has to step in,” Arendse said.
yolisa.tswanya@inl.co.za
- Cape Argus
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