City law enforcement and neighbourhood watch members prevented an attempted land grab in Ysterplaat last week after more than 50 backyard dwellers moved onto the old rugby field on the corner of De Mist Street.
They had made their plan known the day before after a Brooklyn Ysterplaat and Rugby Ratepayers’ Association (BYRRA) meeting at Ysterplaat Primary School.
Ward 55 councilor Fabian Ah-Sing said there were no plans for new social housing in the area.
“I’m struggling to provide proper housing in Albow Gardens as it is,” he said.
The backyarders invaded the land after some encouragement from Brooklyn resident, Raymond Thorpe.
Thorpe started a community watch named, One Call Away. According to him the back yarders approached him for help.
“People are willing to pay for electricity and sewage. They are willing to pay for Nutec structures to be put up on their plots,” he said.
The land invasion was however short lived as the City’s anti-land invasion unit and the Brooklyn and Ysterplaat Neighbourhood Watch (BYNW) arrived and quickly sent the backyarders packing.
The field previously had two security guards on site 24/7; now it has eight until calm is restored.
Other open areas are being monitored as well.
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