Schaapkraal community demands solutions for escalating vagrant encampment crisis

Residents say the encampment at the main entrance to Schaapkraal is becoming a public health hazard. Residents and property owners of Schaapkral have urgently petitioned for immediate action regarding a growing informal vagrant encampment at the main community entrance. Community leaders have reported that residents have become victims of crime, often experiencing theft and robbery.

They are calling on authorities to provide low-cost housing solutions for the informal sector, expressing frustration over perceived empty promises made post-elections. The location in question is at the corner of Boundary and Schaap Road. Local ward councillor Elton Jansen stated that he has been made aware of the situation and has assigned Metro Officers and Neighbourhood Safety Officers (NSOs) to conduct regular patrols at the hotspot.

“On December 11, last year, I took the ward Metro Officers to this hotspot as it was raised by a resident,” said Jansen. “I have requested that our NSOs conduct daily routine checks. We reported the illegal makeshift structures on the day we patrolled the area, and I will follow up to ensure they are removed urgently.” The petition, titled “Schaapkraal Community Call to Address Vagrant Camp at the Corner of Boundary and Schaap Road,” was initiated by Zakariyah Philander, a concerned resident representing the community.

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Philander stated that they are calling for immediate and decisive action to address a critical and escalating issue at one of the main entrances to their community. “A persistent and growing informal gathering of vagrants has established itself at the primary entrance road to our area,” said Philander. “This situation poses a severe threat to our community’s safety, well-being, and property values, and we fear it is on the verge of spiralling into a permanent, unmanaged squatter camp.” Philander also mentioned how this situation has affected property rates and investments: “We have chosen to live in and invest in Schaapkraal, and we pay our taxes with the expectation of fundamental municipal services, including the maintenance of public order, safety, and cleanliness in shared spaces.” Ward councillor, Elton Jansen said metro police and law enforcement teams were at the hotspot. “Therefore, we formally demand that our Councillor, in collaboration with relevant city departments, take immediate action to dismantle and clean up the unauthorised encampment at the main entrance to Schaapkraal.” Philander also called for increased patrols by law enforcement and municipal by-law officers in this specific area to prevent re-establishment.

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