EKURHULENI EFF has dismissed claims that the party is responsible for extorting money from Dann Road squatters by charging them R500 for a stand on the property, including EFF membership.
Mampuru Mampuru, EFF Ekurhuleni chairperson, said he was notified of the matter via Twitter and had taken steps to bring the perpetrator to justice.
“We were informed there was a man going around with a notebook, making people pay for stands.”
Also read:
• Working committee on Dann Road squatters falls flat
• WATCH: Residents speak out against Dann Road squatter camp
• No-show by Dann Road property owners at squatter camp meeting
• EFF backs land occupation on Dann Road
Mampuru said a meeting was called at the squatter camp, after which an investigation was launched to find the impostor.
“We were told this guy was looking for people who were wandering about the place, offering them a stand and EFF membership at a price.”
He said people could not be asked to pay to stay on land that was stolen from them in the first place.
“We suspect the culprit could have been sent by someone who we suspect is aiming to change a very progressive programme on Dann Road. No one will pay for staying at the squatter camp, not under my watch. Everyone is going to get that land and get a place to stay.”
Mampuru said the poor should not be made to pay for anything, as they have been historically disadvantaged.
“Neither can it be us who are disadvantaging the poor.”
He said the squatter camp is usually under guard, but some “sinister elements” have recently been trying to take advantage of the poor people who have taken refuge at the camp.
“Whoever is responsible for conning our people, realised the person overlooking the camp was not there, so they saw an opportunity to participate in the scam,” Mampuru said.
“In the meeting we held, we told the people that no one should make them pay for anything.”
