Glen Marikana squatters have 11 months to move to Benoni

The illegal occupants of the informal settlement on Dann Road, Glen Marikana, have to move to Putfontein in Benoni by no later than October 1 next year, the Johannesburg High Court ruled on Wednesday morning last week.

Should the unlawful occupiers fail to vacate the properties by that date, the sheriff has been authorised by the high court to take all steps necessary to execute the order of eviction. All structures will then also be demolished and removed.

If necessary, the assistance of the South African Police Services, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department and other parties may be called in.

Fikile Mafuyeka, an EFF’s PR councillor, insisted this was not an eviction and that they were happy with the court’s decision.

“As the EFF, we are very pleased with what the court is saying. We did not lose anything because the commitment from the municipality is that they are preparing toilets, electricity and water at the new land because we don’t want to take people and just dump them. We want to take them to a decent place.”

“People need to understand this is not an eviction at all. We have been given an alternative place and that is exactly what we fought for. Eviction is when you take people out without alternative accommodation,” she said.

As part of the process and court order, any current occupiers who require temporary emergency accommodation have to submit the necessary documentation to The City of Ekurhuleni. This needs to be done by no later than March 31, 2019.

According to the court order, the information and documentation need to be submitted, are:

• The names of family members who require temporary and emergency accommodation.

• The ages of each family member.

• Information relating to the family circumstances.

• The sources of income; and

• Appropriate proof of identity.

• Proof that they are occupants in the informal settlement on Dann Road.

Addressing Glen Marikana residents present in court, the judge said it was important and in their best interest to cooperate and supply the necessary documentation within the given time.

“This court is not like your ordinary litigation court where one party provides information and argue over who is right and who is wrong. This court also has the duty to look into the issues of equity and fairness and that balance is left with both the residents and the owners.

“I urge the residents to cooperate because the only way to resolve this problem is by cooperation. Those who don’t register face the risk of not benefiting from what the law provides for you. Rather do it than wait for a situation where the court is forced to say you will be excluded because you have not complied with what the law says.”

While some residents didn’t seem happy with the decision, others were happy to be relocated to the new land.

Ward Councillor Jaco Terblanche told Express he was happy that the matter followed the court process.

“I have always said we needed to follow court processes. I have full faith in the court. They made the correct decision for both parties. The municipality has enough time to start working and preparing the alternative accommodation and the owner has enough time to start and prepare for his development,” said Terblanche.

“This decision is also best for Glen Marais residents. It is in the best interest of the community.”

Mafuyeka also warned the metro that no residents would move if the land was not ready.

“Should there be no services, such as water, electricity and sanitation, we are warning the municipality that if those services are not there and the place is not ready by October 1, 2019, there is no person in Glen Marikana that is going to be moved,” said Mafuyeka.

“We are going to move to a better place with services which is what we have been fighting for.”

A copy of the court order is to be placed at the entrance of the properties on Dann Road and any other visible place within the properties in English, isiZulu, Northern Sotho and Southern Sotho.