Controversy Surrounds Leeuwpoort Housing Development as Local Homeowners Cite By-law Breaches

The creation of an informal settlement bearing the brunt of displaced families from Cinderella hostel has led to a burgeoning outcry from homeowners in the Boksburg North suburb of Cason. The Ekurhuleni municipality's R45 million Leeuwpoort housing development project was meant to symbolize progression but has instead sparked escalating tensions due to allegations of flouted by-laws, security risks, and plummeting property values.

Residents of the Cason subdivision are unsettled by the close proximity of the new shacks that form the informal settlement, and have voiced strong concerns over potential depreciation of their homes and a surge in criminal activities. Local homeowner Xolani Sithole, like many others, feels caught off-guard by the municipality's decision to construct temporary housing near their properties without prior consultation, a step they consider to be a clear violation of by-laws.

The project, deemed as "one of the megaprojects," by municipal spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, targets the construction of 22,000 housing units. Despite such ambitions, to date, a fraction, specifically 152 units, has been allocated to those approved from within the vicinity, including former residents of Cinderella hostel, Reiger Park, and Hlahane. The stringent qualifying criteria have also left some without the possibility of a new home, as has been the case with Mozambican pensioner Alson Captine Chalique who, despite long residence and obtaining a Sassa grant, found himself ineligible due to the specific requirements laid out by the municipality.

As the complications unfold, the relocated individuals who now occupy the informal settlement find themselves at the center of a heated debate, caught between municipal planning and neighborhood resistance. Sithole's experiences since the arrival of the settlement highlight an uptick in petty crimes, suggesting a direct correlation with the advent of the new settlement. Incidents such as theft of metal fixtures, automobile parts, and brazen break-ins have exacerbated the fears of local residents.

Ekurhuleni officials have urged those affected by unlawful land occupation or invasion to report such matters expeditiously to the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department. Addressing community concerns starts by involving ward councillors and regional managers who are implored to take action.

The situation presents a complex scenario wherein the municipality's role in urban development and planning is scrutinized against the exigencies of immediate human needs and the expectations of established homeowners. It is a balancing act that requires sensitive handling, effective communication, and equitable solutions to satisfy all parties involved.