Vigilante group evicts people and seizes homes in Alexandra
The anti-illegal immigration group, known for attacking and evicting alleged undocumented immigrants in Alexandra, has grown more brazen, and is now accused of attacking, evicting, and forcefully seizing the homes of South African citizens.
A group of men, identified as members of an anti-illegal immigration group in Alexandra, allegedly attacked and evicted some residents in Ext 9 on June 18, claiming they were undocumented immigrants.
According to the victim, Lucky Moima, the group claimed that his Sotho-speaking mother was an illegal immigrant from Lesotho and should not own property. “It first happened on June 8. The group came and took us outside the house, saying the house belongs to an illegal immigrant. They left, but then they came again.
Read more: Alex residents evict undocumented immigrants as premier decries illegal immigration
They said we should take our belongings and leave.”
Although Moima and his mother tried to prove that they were South African citizens, the group invaded their house, took their furniture out, and burned it.
ActionSA Ward 105 chairperson Tumelo Shai expressed concerns about the groups’ vigilantism, noting that they attack vulnerable members of the community. “These victims are the rightful homeowners. They even built 14 rooms on their properties. They repeatedly tried to show their identification, but the attackers said they do not want their IDs… They want the houses.”
He further revealed that the group has been tormenting various communities in Alexandra, including Amarasta informal settlement, Ext 7, and, recently, Ext 9. The group is accused of using intimidation tactics and force to evict residents and then seize their houses with impunity.
On June 25, Shai had a meeting with residents about the recent evictions. The meeting was held at one of the houses the group had invaded. “I later got a call from one of the perpetrators, he was threatening me. He asked me why I held a meeting in their house. This means they have claimed that house,” Shai stressed.
Now, as victims seek justice, other residents live in fear, wondering when the group will come for their houses.
The matter was reported to the Alexandra police station. Alex News reached out to the Station Commander Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane. He said he does not yet have information on the matter, but will give comment when he does.
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