Councillor visits teargassed squatters

Following the teargassing of squatters in Rail Street, Florida, Councillor Dave Dewes visited the property on 30 October.

The property adjacent to a drug and prostitution nest and shebeen allegedly has been sold to Crystal Ball Properties recently. The Record is in possession of the document that was delivered by the assailant, and either it was falsified or from the company itself.

Although the mystery attacker has not been identified or caught yet, Dewes vowed that he would get justice for the people. The same man allegedly stopped in front of the house again on the day, but left straight away. It seems to be an intimidation campaign to get rid of the squatters.

Dewes told the Record that eviction orders were costly and that he suspected this to be an ‘easy’ but illegal way of getting rid of the inhabitants.

He held an impromptu meeting with the squatters, assuring them that he not only would negotiate on their behalf but that he would take the matter regarding the police’s refusal to open a case further for them. He is planning to help them to open a case against the police as well as cases of intimidation and grievous bodily harm against their attacker.

He did warn them though that an eviction order was inevitable and that they rather should take the negotiation route. He also pleaded with them not to turn it into a political issue.

Another twist in the case is the squatters alleging that police members are taking bribes from the drug dealers next door. During the Record’s visit several cars stopped to buy drugs and one young man not even was deterred by the presence of the Record’s camera or the Councillor.

A police vehicle also drove past the properties without taking a glance at the obvious drug hotspot. This raised serious concerns with Dewes.

Twice the Record has attempted to get comment from Crystal Ball Property’s director, but to date he has failed to respond to messages.