Squatter park annoys residents
An informal housing establishment set-up at a private postbox cluster has Empangeni residents concerned.
THE private postbox cluster in Watsonia Road, Empangeni, has been turned into an informal squatter venue for the homeless – and residents are up in arms.
The postbox is located in a public park on the corner of Durnford and Watsonia roads where children play and people take their dogs for a walk.
Residents say the situation is attracting criminal elements, rendering the park unsafe.
A concerned resident who wishes to remain anonymous told the Zululand Observer ratepayers were unhappy that there was no municipal control over the vagrant problem. ‘A man has been squatting in the park for more than six months. His possessions are left next to the postboxes. Why has the post office or municipality not done anything about this?’
In November last year the routine chore of collecting post turned into a nightmare for an Empangeni resident Daniel James Morgan, when he was held up by three armed men, who stole his wallet, cellphone and car, all in broad daylight.
‘The park is not safe and it is becoming a health hazard. I do not even go there anymore. The place smells and there is a mess everywhere. There are no ablution facilities,’ another resident said.
On contacting uMhlathuze Ward 9 Councillor, Erwin Palmer, he immediately inspected the park and contacted the relevant departments to give attention to the matter.
Residents hope a speedy municipal intervention will ensure that the park becomes a healthy, safe environment for all residents to enjoy.
