According to the Cape Times, the squatters on the Castle Bowling Green in Woodstock have until the end of the
week to decide whether to take up council's offer to relocate to land with proper facilities in Happy Valley near Brackenfell.Housing councillor Dan Plato on Saturday, sent a senior manger in the city council's human settlements directorate to pick up families and take them to the site the council had in mind for them.
During the visit it was made clear to the group that this was thier last chance to take up such an offer, Plato said.
Plato said he sent a senior manager because if the council was sued by the squatters, the manager would be able to testify that the council had done all in its power to find a solution.
The council offered the families accomodation in Langa and Happy Valley when they were legally evicted from the disused bowling clubhouse where they had lived for eight years, but both offers were refused.
The squatters moved on to the bowling green and into tents provided for them by concerned residents, using buckets as ablution facilities and hanging their washing on the surrounding fence.
According to a mother of five, she did not like the idea because they will be close to another informal settlement in Kraaifontein and very far away.
Plato said, "The ball is firmly in their court. We prepared to take this one step, but after that we'll have to turn our attention to more urgent and problematic housing lists".
Plato maintains that the city council is under immense pressure and can't afford to waste time on three obstinate families.
"I want to close their file this week", Plato said.
Picture: www.soweto.co.za
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