We, the undersigned, as concerned residents and members of the Alberton community, urgently petition the Gauteng Provincial Government, the Gauteng Department of Education, the Department of Infrastructure and Development, and all relevant stakeholders to take immediate and decisive action regarding the illegal occupation of the Alberton Teachers’ Centre situated in Second Avenue, Alberton North (Erf 1224).

Background:

History of the Premises
The Alberton Teachers’ Centre, initially erected as part of educational facilities, comprised a teachers' development centre, a pre-school, a small office building, a store, and several garages. Since the late 1980s, these buildings have been abandoned by the Gauteng Department of Education, and by 2004, some parts of the premises were leased to the Apostolic Church of Africa. However, by 2006, the lease expired, and the buildings have since been illegally occupied.
Illegal Occupation and Criminal Activities
Since 2006, the buildings have been unlawfully taken over by a group self-identified as "Funny Farmers." These illegal occupants have transformed the premises into a hotbed of criminal activity, including but not limited to prostitution, child trafficking, drug syndicates, and harboring illegal firearms. Despite ongoing concerns and community complaints, the illegal activities continue to pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of residents, especially the children attending the nearby Alberton Primary School satellite.
Failed Legal Attempts
In June 2010, an eviction application was launched under case number 20526/2010 in the High Court, Johannesburg. Despite numerous court proceedings and efforts from various government departments, including Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, the matter remains unresolved. The postponements, bureaucratic delays, and lack of urgency have only emboldened the illegal occupants and deepened the crisis.
Community’s Pleas Ignored
The local community has taken numerous steps to address the situation, including a petition submitted by Mr. Willie Basson to National Parliament in 2020. Unfortunately, despite the recommendations from the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the recommendations were ignored, leaving the community in a state of despair. Even the airing of a Carte Blanche documentary in June 2022 failed to trigger meaningful action from the authorities.
Ongoing Endangerment of Children and the Community
The premises sit directly opposite Alberton Child Welfare and adjacent to the satellite primary school, creating an immediate risk to vulnerable children. Despite efforts by organizations such as Addict’s Voice to rehabilitate individuals from the area, the continued presence of criminal elements within Funny Farm makes it impossible to foster a safe environment for the community.
Our Appeal:

The ongoing illegal occupation of the Alberton Teachers’ Centre is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated any longer. We call upon the State Attorney, the Gauteng Department of Education, and all involved government entities to urgently take the following steps:

Expedite the Eviction Proceedings:
We urge the Honorable Judge President of Gauteng to appoint a specific judge to case-manage this matter to avoid further delays and to expedite the litigation.
Allow Community Involvement in the Proceedings:
We request that relevant organizations and associations, including local community groups, be allowed to participate in the case as amici curiae (friends of the court) and to formally join as co-applicants to ensure the interests of the community are adequately represented.
Finalize Court Proceedings Without Delay:
The State Attorney must immediately enroll the matter for adjudication to prevent further harm to the community and the children who attend school adjacent to the illegal occupation site.
Conclusion:

The continued illegal occupation and criminal activities at the Alberton Teachers’ Centre represent a dire threat to the safety and integrity of our community. The failure of government departments and officials to act decisively and promptly has caused immeasurable harm. The time for delay has passed. We, the concerned citizens of Alberton, demand immediate action to restore safety and order by evicting the illegal occupants and relocating them to appropriate facilities.

We call upon our elected officials and relevant authorities to prioritize this matter and take urgent action to protect the community.

By signing this petition, we affirm our commitment to a safer, crime-free Alberton for the benefit of all residents, particularly our children.