Residents protest immigrant relocation plan

Residents petition against Tshwane’s plan to relocate hundreds of Melgisedek occupants. Picture: X/@CilliersB There was resistance from residents in the Moot after the City of Tshwane announced the relocation of more than 400 illegal immigrants, some of whom have serious substance abuse problems, to a residential area. Gezina resident Mari Joubert has lodged a formal dispute and petition regarding the proposed housing project at 531 Nico Smit Street for the occupants of Melgisedek, in what she describes as a lack of mandatory public participation and potential land use violations.

Joubert said there was not only a lack of public participation, but also added that the sudden placement of over 400 people will affect local infrastructure such as water, sewage and electricity and security and property values. “If the property is not currently zoned for high-density residential use of 400-plus people, the city must apply for consent use or a rezoning application. “These processes legally require a 28-day notice period for public objections.” The petition already has 2 630 signatures.

DA’s Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink said the party was deeply concerned about the plan to move over 400 people from the Melgisedek Building to land that isn’t fit for human occupation. “Last week, the ANC government celebrated a court order to relocate the occupants of Melgisedek. There is no clarity on where these occupants will be relocated to, nor what the long-term solution will be.

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“The city’s eviction order includes approximately 450 people, comprising illegal occupants of the buildings and illegal settlers on the surrounding property. “Many are illegal immigrants and have serious substance abuse problems,” Brink said. He added the DA was also concerned that decades-long social problems of Melgisedek will now merely be transferred to another part of the city.

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