Image Source: TimesLive
Lenasia – Illegal land occupation and the construction of informal settlements have become a growing concern for the Lenasia community. This surge has not only strained local resources but has also triggered a range of issues, including declining property values, increased crime, and added pressure on essential services such as water and electricity.
Local leaders, Ward Councillor Imraan Moosa and Ward Committee Member Yakoob Karolia, have expressed deep concern over the severity of the situation.
In an interview with Salaamedia, Karolia explained that these land occupations are not driven by genuine needs but by criminal elements and individuals who exploit the situation for financial gain. These entities are well aware of the law as they set up structures, rent them out, and then leave the settlement, knowing that legal restrictions prevent demolition.
Therefore, addressing this issue requires the community to navigate complex legal and procedural challenges, which hinder swift action. Additionally, Karolia argues that the passiveness, disunity, and inaction within the Lenasia community have also contributed to the persistence of this problem.
“We have to stand together if we don’t want things like this to happen. Unfortunately, with our community in lands, who are very passive, we make a big noise about things but cannot stand together.”
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The Impact of Illegal Settlements on the Area
Moosa highlighted that the recent surge in land grabs has had far-reaching consequences for the Lenasia area. The illegal occupation of land often involves unauthorised connections to municipal services, placing significant strain on the existing infrastructure.
Consequently, the area has faced frequent power and water outages. Moreover, improper sewage connections from these informal settlements have contaminated the water supply, posing severe health risks to residents.
“Due to the informal settlements taking place, we then find ourselves with further challenges, particularly with electricity. We have to provide electricity to these illegal informal settlements that open up, and water also becomes a problem because it’s a basic necessity. But the whole infrastructure is not set and ready for the informal settlements to occupy.”
Although the Lenasia community is grappling with the consequences of illegal and informal settlements, the land on which these structures are built belongs to municipal and provincial authorities. Moosa believes it is their responsibility to report and address the issue.
However, the slow response from these entities has left the community feeling frustrated and abandoned. Without the landowners, including the municipality and others, reporting these illegal occupations, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and other relevant authorities cannot intervene.
“I, myself, as a former counsellor, as a community member, and also as a Ward Committee Member, find that our hands are limited to a large extent. The City itself needs to report these issues and ensure that they, as the landowners, take proactive measures to ensure that these statements are made to the police and JMPD.”
“However, it still puts us in a very difficult and challenging situation because there are no proactive measures really taken to ensure that the spread of informal settlements stops. I think that’s where we are standing presently. We are trying our very best to engage with the JMPD and the police to try and stop the land invasions and the enrichment of these particular criminal elements that are also selling land.”
