The Rabie Ridge community has secured a victory against the City of Johannesburg regarding the occupation of land on Allandale Farm Ext 1, after the Constitutional Court dismissed the city’s application for leave to appeal.

The city-owned farm has been earmarked for low-cost housing but has seen repeated land invasions over the years by residents who erected informal shelters on the site.

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In a land case involving the city, its housing department, Nakampe Rector Seale, the lead respondent in the eviction case and the Rabie Ridge community, the Constitutional Court concluded the application bore no reasonable prospects of success and ordered the city to pay costs.

It declared the city’s actions unlawful and unconstitutional, ordering it to either reconstruct emergency temporary accommodation for those whose shelters were demolished or pay R1 500 per shack to enable residents to do so themselves.

Residents celebrated the ruling on October 9, thanking their legal team for its support. Ngoako Seanego, chairperson of the farm, expressed gratitude to Lawyers for Human Rights for its representation, stating the verdict protected their homes and heritage while giving the community confidence during a period of uncertainty.

Battle for basic services continues

Seanego thanked the community and leadership for their support throughout the struggle, noting that while the legal victory was secured, the fight for basic services continues.

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“Thank you so much for stepping up to the plate during the tough struggle of all the past years,” said Seanego.

“Your unwavering support through thick and thin paid off. Your meeting attendance and your opinions gave us good direction.

Your patience in difficult times encourages us to fight until the end of our struggle; it is not over yet, as we are still fighting to get the services. We are human beings, and we deserve to be served. Thanks to everyone deciding at Allendale Farm Ext 1.”

The land invasion began in 2023. In July 2023, city officials and security personnel demolished numerous informal shacks and removed belongings from the farm.

Midrand Reporter sent an inquiry regarding the court verdict to the City of Johannesburg’s deputy director of communications and media relations, Nthatisi Modingoane, on October 20. The city had not responded by October 23 despite follow-ups.

Grab a copy of Midrand Reporter to read more about the origins of this case.

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