A shack that was built in Baipei Mohadin during the lockdown was recently dismantled.
Jantjie Mthimukhulu, a resident of Winnie Mandela Square, said security guards appointed by the municipality went to the shack at around 13:00 on 13 May. They instructed the owners to dis- mantle their home as they had contravened the lockdown regulations.
The residents agreed, but, a few minutes later, the security guards drove past and noticed that they were rebuilding the structure.
“Not too long afterwards, the security guards came back, this time with the police,” said Jantjie.
The officials tried to stop the construction, but the surrounding community members allegedly became aggressive and some threw stones at the officials.
The police arrested two suspects, a 38-year-old-man and a 29-year-old woman for malicious damage to property. The Herald recently published an article where the man and woman were arrested after the back window of a van was shattered, and the top of the vehicle was dented during the commotion.
“The two suspects were released on a warning, but will still appear in court,” said Sgt Trom.
Sunnyboy Seabelo, a community activist from Mohadin, says he is usually aware of the residents who move into Winnie Mandela Square, also known as Hashtag. He and other committee members generally help them move into their homes. However, since the lockdown, he says they have not assisted as it would contravene the regulations.
William Maphosa, the municipal spokesperson, confirmed that their security and police officials had stopped the attempted land occupation. He added that the two suspects were charged under the lockdown regulations stipulated in the Disaster Management Act.
