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Squatters under Silverton bridge removed as part of clean-up campaign
Illegal squatters have been removed from beneath the Pretoria Road bridge next to the entrance to Ditsong Pioneer Museum in Silverton in a bid to reclaim and preserve public spaces.
The two projects, Sparkling Clean Silverton and the Blue Bridge Project, also carried out a large scale clean-up of the river banks beneath the bridge.
According to organiser Marietjie van Deventer, the critical undertaking aimed to restore order to the area and also safeguard the environment by restoring the ecology of the Moretele River.
Van Deventer said squatters and criminals used to hide under the bridge and used the long grass as cover to rob and assault people.
The river was contaminated by waste, debris and harmful pollutants which were endangering the natural species in the water.
She said the teams successfully cleared structures and removed occupants from the areas to curb pedestrian robberies as well as illegal dumping and pollution.
Van Deventer said the group continues to clean dirty corners, nature conservation areas, parks and the pedestrian bridge used by learners and residents.
She said clean-up groups clean parks, dirty corners and streets in Silverton every Thursday and Friday.
She added that the clean-up on the banks of the Moretele River will continue to ensure the river is clean before the rainy season.
“Prior [to] the removal of the squatters we had a very successful meeting held at Ditsong, which myself and Ditsong arranged regarding safety measures and clean-ups to keep the area safe and clean.”
She said the CPF, TMPD and other organisations pledged to work with them to keep the area clean and safe.
She expressed her gratitude to Uitkyk Meat and Supermarket for supporting this cause.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city has established a task team comprising various departments to look at by-law enforcement issues, which include land invasion and illegal dumping at public open spaces owned by the city.
“As part of the intervention actions, the TMPD By-law Enforcement section will enforce law and order in or city public spaces.”
He said the city has achieved a significant milestone in addressing illegal dumping through the implementation of the Rekaofela clean-up campaign.
“This campaign is encouraging residents to participate in the eradication of illegal dumping by making use of waste receptacles approved by the city and promoting the utilisation of city-owned waste management facilities.”
“The city has several places that are inundated by illegal dumping, and it is impossible to attend [to] all the places as soon as the complaint is lodged, hence the campaign was launched so that the community can join hands with the city to fight illegal dumping of waste.”
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