As a Controversial Shooting Range Sparks New Uproar
Reporter – George April
HOPEFIELD – A small group of residents in Hopefield, along with the town’s current councillor, stand accused of holding the broader community hostage, socially, economically, and politically.
At the heart of the rising frustration is a controversial shooting range outside the town, set to reopen after being closed two years ago following intense community protest.
The reopening threatens the livelihood of one local family whose only source of income is now at risk, a move many see as symbolic of deeper systemic issues that continue to plague the historically disadvantaged community.
A Town Forgotten
Forty families remain trapped in unsafe asbestos structures, originally erected during apartheid to house railway workers. Despite three decades of democracy, these structures are still home to families who have been on housing waiting lists for more than 15 years.
The most recent housing built in Oudekraalfontein is already falling apart, with cracked walls and water-damaged ceilings. This in a town known for its skilled builders — yet contracts are repeatedly awarded to companies from outside Hopefield.
“This is not just about housing,” said a community leader. “It’s about dignity. It’s about being heard.”
Stuck in a Cycle of Displacement
Residents of Oudekraalfontein — many of them descendants of families forcibly removed from Hopefield’s “white town” during apartheid — say history is repeating itself. Their families once had to sell their homes for next to nothing based on race. Now, they face illegal evictions and empty political promises.
According to CCN’s inquiries, a number of residents have already signed agreements to take ownership of their asbestos structures. This effectively removes them from the municipality’s official housing backlog. DA councillor Miranda Schrader remains at the centre of the controversy. While frequently unavailable for critical community meetings — often citing scheduling conflicts — she appears noticeably more responsive when the municipality faces public criticism or political scrutiny.
Inquiries about housing allocations go unanswered, but Schrader continues to tell residents to “put their names on the list” at the municipal office, claiming that new houses will be built next year — despite confirmation that no funds have been allocated. Many residents believe this is a political ploy ahead of the 2026 municipal elections.
Symbol of a Larger Struggle
The shooting range has become more than just a development project. For many, it is a symbol of everything that’s wrong in Hopefield — the silencing of local voices, the erasure of history, and the prioritisation of outsiders over residents.
“It’s like we’re back in the bush with clay and reeds,” one elder laments, referring to the early days of forced resettlement under apartheid.
The Hopefield Community Forum has invited DA councillor Miranda Schrader and Saldanha Bay Mayor Andre Truter to attend a public meeting on Tuesday, 3 June at 18:30 at the Thusong Hall, to respond directly to community concerns. Representatives from Kropz and Amoya, two key players in local industrial developments, have also been invited. Whether any of them will attend remains to be seen.
On the agenda: “job creation and housing” – two issues that have come to define the town’s ongoing struggle for equity, dignity, and accountability.
Political Promises – No Budget
Despite claims that new housing is imminent, municipal sources confirm there is currently no budget for such development. The promises made to residents appear to be more about political timing than tangible plans – a fact not lost on the people of Hopefield.
“Job creation and housing feel like a luxury available only to a select few,” said one resident. “When are we going to wake up and realise, “enough is enough?”
Editor’s Note
CCN has not yet received official responses from DA spokespersons. Previous attempts to communicate with party officials about pressing community issues have been routinely ignored. Mayor Andre Truter and Councillor Miranda Schrader are invited to respond to this report by emailing: editor@ccnews.co.za.
