Victims of unlawful evictions fear suspects roaming free
Almost three weeks after residents were unlawfully evicted in Ext 9, Alexandra, suspects are yet to be arrested.
As Lucky Moima picks up the pieces after being unlawfully evicted and having his house damaged, allegedly by members of an anti-illegal immigration group in Alexandra, fear hangs over his head. Especially knowing that the same suspects who allegedly attacked and displaced him are still at large.
Moima, and community leader Tumelo Shai, alleged that some of the suspects have publicly admitted to participating in the unlawful evictions and their identity is known, yet not even one of them has been arrested since June 18.
Read more: Residents unite against unlawful evictions in Alexandra
Detective Colonel Daniel Raletlhaka said Moima’s case is under investigation. Speaking on Alex FM, he said that the police went to the house one of the alleged suspects is said to be living in, but they did not find him. He said they are also looking for another suspect involved in a different case of unlawful eviction, but Moima is not convinced that they are handling his case with the urgency it deserves. “Already, the suspects know me. We are not protected at all. We don’t have anything that ensures our safety. They might come at any time, even during the night, because we are not protected.”
He argued that, if the suspects are not swiftly arrested and detained, their lives will remain in jeopardy. This sentiment was also shared by Shai, who recalled receiving a threat from one of the suspects after hosting a public meeting at the house the suspects had claimed ownership of. “One of the guys behind the evictions called and threatened me. I don’t know where he got my numbers from. He asked me why I was holding a meeting in their house.”
Like Moima, Shai also reported being assaulted by an anti-illegal immigration group during a previous eviction operation they carried out in the Amarasta area.
Almost three weeks after the violence and unlawful evictions in Ext 9, victims demand justice, and Raletlhaka urges Alexandra residents to work with the police.
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