In an effort to understand the removal of dwellers on the Land on Von Willich in Centurion, our journalists were invited back to the partially evacuated land on Von Willich in Centurion. On arrival, the dwellers were fully packed and ready to leave the area that was already being burned and cleared by civil workers. A very friendly officer in uniform, was happy to see the members of the press and offered to walk us around the area to better explain the situation to us.
According to the officer, who is from Lyttelton SAPS station, several cases in the past years have all been linked to the area, from abduction, to drug selling as well as some cases of injury, robbery and death. He made remarks to the effort of Abland not only to get their development started and safe, but also to the goodwill showed by the company and one that is different from what other developers would have done.
In the midst of the wreckage that were being burnt, a live ammunition went off and the police officer was able to validate pointers of illegal firearms as a validation of illegal items and one of the reasons the destroyed wreckages were being burnt.
An executive from PRSS(PRSS Prof Risk Security Services)who was also on the scene made statements to clarify the reports about dogs during the evacuation process and said the presence of dogs on scene were standard procedures to follow and were not on the premises to harm or endanger anyone.
Some of the dwellers who were already offered jobs and assistance already vacated the land and the remaining dwellers were contented with the compensation of R10,000.00 that was offered to all dwellers and have all made alternative arrangements for accommodation. The evacuation process was more peaceful and there was no sign of confrontation, a scenery that was different from what transpired on Friday, dwellers ascribed to a factor that was inflicted by the presence of political parties at the scene.
The evacuation process was more peaceful and there was no sign of confrontation, a scene that was different from what transpired on Friday, dwellers ascribed to a factor that was inflicted by the presence of political parties at the scene.
Dwellers who were evacuated from the land, confirmed criminal activities and even though most of them were not involved in crime, they are aware of the crimes that were mentioned and many of the perpetrators were among genuine dwellers who were homeless.
In concluding they were happy they received compensation from Abland and with the help of community members able to relocate.A different view of what was experienced on Friday during the evacuation process and the tension caused by political parties on site.
Abland’s compensation has not only made the dwellers leave the land occupied, but also saved the community of a crime hive and the endless crime string that could have spiraled out of control in the area. One of the body Corporate from Sandal Wood commended Abland for the compensation giving to the land occupiers,
we knew about the problems and have helped some of these dwellers to find jobs, others refuse to leave and terrorise the area. We are blacks and did not want to make fellow blacks feel bad, but the money offered by Abland is a solution to this problem – says Ma’ Rose.
On Friday, efforts were made to reach the municipality for an update on the situation of the piece of land. Municipal members or representatives were not on the site and no calls were returned from the help desk as promised.
