Red ants evict illegal residents as waiting Sihlahliwe families hope for their RDP homes
After months of unlawful occupation, illegal residents of Sihlahliwe RDP houses were forcefully evicted by the red ants on March 11. Local families who have been waiting for years expressed relief, while some highlighted the struggles of vulnerable residents
Sihlahliwe residents in Obed Nkosi welcomed a long-awaited eviction operation on March 11, when illegal occupants of RDP houses were forcefully removed by the Red Ants from Security Consortium SA.
The individuals had been alleged occupying the houses since October 2025 without legal allocation. Authorities said the occupants had been issued a 14-day notice to vacate before the eviction.
The operation was carried out to restore control of the properties and ensure the houses reach the rightful beneficiaries.
The RDP houses are part of a government housing programme intended for qualifying residents. Officials stressed that the eviction was necessary to uphold the integrity of the allocation process and guarantee that the homes benefit those who followed proper procedures.
For residents who have been waiting for years for their own homes, the eviction brought relief, mixed with lingering frustration over delays.
Nomsa Mokoena (38) said she has been on the waiting list for over three years.
“I have been on the waiting list for three years, and seeing someone else occupy my house was heartbreaking. Every day I imagined my children playing safely in our own yard, but that dream was stolen when the house was taken by others. I hope the authorities will now make sure that the rightful beneficiaries move in without any more delays. We have been waiting patiently, and it’s finally our turn,” she said.
Sana Mhlanga (42) expressed a similar sentiment.
“It’s a relief that the Red Ants intervened because these houses are meant for people who followed the rules and applied legally. Some of us have struggled for years, living in cramped conditions while waiting for a home. I pray that this eviction is a turning point and that the handover of houses to rightful owners happens quickly and fairly,” she said.
Nosipho Dlamini (38) highlighted the additional challenges faced by vulnerable residents.
“Some of us, including people with disabilities, have been waiting for homes that can accommodate our specific needs. It’s very discouraging to see others move in unlawfully, knowing we have applied and qualified.
“This eviction gives us hope that finally, people with special needs and other vulnerable residents will get the houses they deserve,” she said.
