Tempers flare over land use
ALEXANDRA - A potentially nasty tension is brewing between a development organization and a group of rubble collectors in Extension 7.
POTENTIALLY nasty tension is brewing between a development organisation and a group of rubble collectors in Extension 7.
The tension between Writers, Filmmakers and Arts Distributors [WFAD] and the rubble collectors, said to be conducting their business illegally along the Jukskei River, relates to access to land.
Raputsa Lehabe of WFAD, who provided written evidence from council on the right to the land, said his organisation was authorised to use it for a children’s art nursery project to help keep children off the streets and to unearth and nurture their artistic talent. He said they had been working on the project for 15 years collecting rubble to fill the land and turn it into a mini park.
“We have no funding and rely on donations of used material to salvage bricks and items to construct the building, pave and landscape the area,” he said.
The rubble collectors, led by Eric Baloyi, said WFAD was denying them passage through its area to their own dumping spot where they sifted through rubble to salvage items for resale to support themselves and their families. “WFAD should be considerate of our plight in light of unemployment, and besides, the land belongs to council which guarantees us the right to its use. Also, we suspect [WFAD] to be profiting from the dumping by some rubble removers” he said.
Lehabe countered that the group’s trucks destroyed WFAD’s landscaping, increased human traffic in the area which resulted in theft of their building material, would threaten the safety of children attending the nursery when schools reopen, and alleged that their security guard had been beaten and forced to allow entry into the area.
Denying the alleged theft and beating of the guard, Baloyi said mediation by court officials had suggested they consider constructing a side road to their spot. Given the wet terrain on the river bank, this could prove costly for the group. Both parties said they would consider further court action to resolve the matter.
Meanwhile, Monica Nkomo, a long-term resident of the area, urged the conflicting groups to use all possible avenues to negotiate for a long-term solution in the interest of the the children’s project.
Details: Raputsa Lehabe 072 566 3424; Eric Baloyi 071 993 4921.
