Pensioners, disabled people and women are among the most affected group in the recent relocation in Extension Eight Langaville.
They are left with the responsibility of covering costs of employing people to fix their shacks.
Simon Gumede says he has been living in Langaville since 1993 and this is his third relocation in the same area.
He says the stand he was occupying before the relocation had running water and a toilet, which made things easier for him as he uses crutches and stays alone.
He adds that now he has to ask neighbours to get water for him, from the communal tap located in the next street.
While Florence Mtisa said she ended up using her cupboard to make fire after it was broken during the move, together with her windows.
A number of residents expressed dissatisfaction with the manner they were moved by Red Ants.
They allege that notices were delivered to their homes on May 17, informing them that they have to move the next day.
Zweli Dlamini, spokesman of the Ekurhuleni Mayoral office, disputed the resident’s claims that they were notified in the last minute about the relocation.
He said the idea behind combining the various small pockets of informal settlements in the area is to incorporate them in the Migration Plan for Informal Settlements.
He said this new area where residents continue to share mobile toilets and taps, is a temporary waiting area and residents will be moved to their own stands in due time.
“The informal settlement management plan looks at turning informal settlements into liveable areas,” adds Dlamini.
He said the possibility of fire was considered when the Department of Housing allocated the shacks, as well as access of vehicles including emergency services.
He poured cold water on concerns raised by residents on the close proximity of the shacks, and shack fires which are notorious in the cold season.
