Tswelopile Ext 8 residents won’t stop fighting for land

The fight for land continues for the residents of Tswelopile Extension Eight, near Clayville.

Taking their fight a step further, these residents took to the streets last week Thursday and again on Saturday, protesting against forceful evictions by the city council.

The leader of the concerned residents, Martin Kgwete, said government is undermining their struggle and therefore they will continue their fight for land until their concerns are addressed.

“All we want is for the city council to stop demolishing our shacks because they are all we have. We call this place home and we want to be given the rights to officially and permanently own the land,” he said.

“We are not going to stop fighting until we are victorious in our quest. The metro police may come abuse and victimise us all they want, but we will never be shaken. We understand how our struggle leaders were victimised and even killed by the apartheid security branches, but they never backed down until this democracy was won. We also understand that the only language our democratic government understands is through protests and so we are going to be protesting until our cries are heard,” went on Kgwete.

He said they have been living on this piece of land for over five years and can’t understand why government wants them out now.

“We have been fighting for this land for a long time now and the reason why we are fighting is because most of the residents are unemployed and cannot afford to pay rent or buy houses and stands elsewhere,” he said.

He said they have tried on numerous occasions to meet with authorities, but without success.

“What is left for us now is to see the mayor and maybe he will listen to us,” he suggested.

Kgwete said they even tried acquiring the services of attorneys, but didn’t get far because they couldn’t afford their legal fees.

“It is sad that we are being victimised by the very same government we have voted for. But it is fine because local government elections are coming and we will also hurt them the same way they are hurting us,” concluded Kgwete.

Attempt to get comment from the city council proved fruitless at the time going to print.