Communities evicted in Aapiesdoorndraai

BURGERSFORT – On Tuesday shack dwellers from Aapiesdoorndraai Farm 298, next to Dresden, were forced to flee their makeshift homes during a mass eviction by the Sheriff. Nearly 50 shacks built on vacant land were demolished.The Sheriff, accompanied by men clad in yellow T-shirts and helmets, came out in full force with trucks while they destroyed everything in their way.

Elias Mohlala, the Sheriff who was accompanied by the police, showed residents an eviction letter from the Polokwane High Court. The letter was applied for by the Fetakgomo Greater Tubatse Municipality.

“We gave them the notice on November 10 and we were shocked that they did not move their assets,” said Mohlala.

Some residents wept as they watched their valuables being destroyed. Some watched from across the field as the men went from shack to shack, destroying the illegal structures.

Residents told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that they had paid for the stands from one of the members in the community.”We paid between R2 000 and R10 000 for the stands, we are going to demand our money back from the man.” One of the municipality officials on site said the area was earmarked for development.