Sowetan: Squatters’ shacks destroyed

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=882476

Squatters’ shacks destroyed

12 November 2008
Michael Sakuneka

More than 20 illegal squatters living on the banks of the Letaba River in Tzaneen, Limpopo, were left homeless when their shacks were destroyed as part of municipality’s initiative to clear the banks.

When they woke up on Monday the squatters were greeted by the Green Scorpions, who set the shacks alight without any warning.

The demolition followed an eviction order from the Tzaneen municipality, which was ignored by the squatters.

The clean-up campaign was conducted amid a strong police presence to prevent the possibility of violence against the Green Scorpions.

The municipality recently launched an initiative to clean up the banks and water of the Letaba River to turn the area into a recreational park.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, Tzaneen municipal manager Mabakane Mangena said they would like to develop the area to form walkways on the river banks in an effort to turn it into a tourist attraction.