GEORGE NEWS - A business owner in Brick Street, George Industria, is extremely unhappy about "a nest of criminal activity and vandalism" on an open piece of land which belongs to George Municipality.
Christo Muller of Christo's Motor Scrap Yard, said municipal property, such as toilets, stored on this land has been severely damaged by vandals.
"Due to the influx of homeless people who squat in the area and criminal activities on the property, myself and several other business owners in Brick Street feel that things are getting out of hand and that the safety of our businesses are in jeopardy," said Muller.
"I once found an expensive motorcycle there that was completely stripped."
Muller shared his frustration with the situation, saying the municipality is turning a blind eye to what's happening.
Media liaison officer of George Municipality, Athane Scholtz, said the relevant space is both municipal and private land.
"The land in municipal ownership is being used as a storage site for the top structures of ablution facilities that the municipality places in informal settlements and on properties where people do not have access to ablution facilities.
"These temporary structures are removed once the beneficiaries receive homes and stored at Brick Street on municipal land."
Where mobile toilets go to die.
She said the municipality previously fenced off the area, but the fencing was stolen. "The anti-land invasion unit visits the site regularly and recent inspections reveal that there are currently no illegal or homeless persons living there," said Scholtz.
"Should this change, it can be reported to 044 801 6310 and the necessary action will be taken. The site is generally used as a thoroughfare for pedestrians between the industrial and residential area.
"On the private land referred to lives a woman who has been on the property with the permission of the owner for approximately 30 years. Suspected criminal activity should be reported to the police."
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