Burgersfort shack dwellers plead for justice
They asked the authorities to offer them temporary residents and arrangements for them to obtain new IDs
Some shack dwellers in Burgersfort Ext 10 are still homeless after taxi operators allegedly burnt 72 shacks at the informal settlement on February 22.
Speaking to Steelburger/Lydenburg News, the residents demanded that those who had destroyed their shacks be arrested and prosecuted.
“We have no place to sleep; all our belongings, including our IDs, were burnt. We were told they were burning shacks belonging to drug dealers, prostitutes and nyaope addicts, but this has also affected us, law-abiding citizens.
“There are no drug dealers at Burgersfort Ext 10. Drug dealers come and sell drugs and leave the area. Our
properties were burnt even though we are not involved in all the evil deeds,” they complained.
According to the residents, Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality gave them foam mattresses and blankets.
“This was not enough; each person was given either a foam mattress or blanket. I live with my four children and cannot use only a mattress. We are homeless, and we are forced to beg for places to sleep every night.”
One of the mothers said she had lost her ID, groceries, and her children’s school uniforms.
“My kids haven’t been to school since February 22. I cannot even access my social grant because they burnt my bank cards and ID.”
The residents pleaded for help from Good Samaritans. They also want justice.
“This was just criminal activities. It is a pity the police couldn’t help when our hard-earned belongings were destroyed.
Ext 10 has been our home for more than two decades, we have nowhere else to go.”
They asked the authorities to offer them temporary residents and arrangements for them to obtain new IDs
