Ginger Park residents confront councillor

Ginger Park informal settlement residents in Ward 93 were left devastated and homeless following a recent eviction operation, which has sparked anger and deep frustration.

What was meant to be a law enforcement exercise quickly turned into a highly charged standoff between affected residents and local leadership.

Caught in the crossfire of desperation, residents demanded answers from Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy, accusing him of neglecting his responsibilities.

The situation became so volatile that some residents threatened to physically attack the councillor unless he addressed their grievances.

Also read: Mayor leads raid on illegal settlers in Fourways

JMPD had to intervene to protect the councillor from the angry residents of the informal settlement.

“He doesn’t perform his duties. He is never here to speak for us, but now they want to destroy our homes and act like it’s normal,” claimed Sphiwe Ntuli.

Ntuli, a community leader who has lived in the settlement for eight years, said the residents are not opposed to following the law, but they simply have nowhere else to go.

“We have asked the police many times to help us deal with the crime and undocumented people here. But now the whole community is being punished.”

Also read: City cracks down on illegal informal settlements in Fourways

“We are not refusing to leave, but they must give us a place to go. You cannot just demolish people’s homes and leave them on the street,” he said.

He also referenced a court order dating back to 1998, which he claims entitles residents of the area to financial compensation from the landowner.

“In the court order from 1998, the owner of this place agreed that everyone living here must get R5 000 every five years,” Ntuli explained.

“From 1998 until now, that’s about R20 000 per person. That’s what the court said. If they want to take the land, they must first pay us what we are owed.”

Also read: MEC Ramokgopa meets Lonehill residents over Clay Oven and Ginger Park informal settlements

While the city has confirmed it is working to restore law and order and relocate South African citizens, no clear timeline or accommodation plan has yet been communicated to the informal settlers.

Fourways Review has reached out to Reddy for comment on the operation and the accusations by the residents. More information will be provided once it becomes available.

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