By Bernell Simons

Nearly a year after being removed from the Northern Landfill Site in Bloemfontein, a group of homeless people – referred to as the “Born to Kill” (BTK) gang – has returned and is once again illegally occupying the land, engaging in a cat-and-mouse game with authorities.

A large-scale multi-agency operation, led by the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality’s Landfill Site Management Unit and supported by the South African Police Service (SAPS), Wild Olive Estate, AfriForum, the Community Police Forum (CPF) and MMM Law Enforcement, raided the municipal dumping site in April last year and forcefully removed the illegal occupants.

However, when the Journal News team visited the landfill on Thursday, new makeshift structures had been erected by individuals believed to be the same group, who claim the land belongs to them.

The alleged BTK leader, who declined to be named, insisted they would not leave. “The land belongs to us. You remove us, we will be back here sooner than you think,” he said. “This is our home and the only home we know. As for crime being committed here, I don’t know anything about that.” 

The development has heightened tensions in surrounding neighbourhoods, with homeowners reporting late-night gatherings, suspected drug activity and growing intimidation.

Residents say the group was previously cleared during last year’s enforcement operation. However, amid renewed complaints of alleged criminal activity, illegal dumping and informal dwellings within the landfill premises, authorities may once again be compelled to intervene.

This is a developing story.