Pienaarspoort residents vow to fight till bitter end

The residents of Retshwenyegile squatter camp in Pienaarspoort have accused the Tshwane metro police of being cowards.

This after the police arrived on Tuesday morning to demolish shacks while residents were away in court to avoid clashes.

Last month, the police were involved in a violent confrontation with the residents which resulted in the death of one man.

Residents told Record that the police came early in the morning in an inyala to break down the shacks.

Community leader Martin Matlala said the police knew that the residents were going to court on Tuesday, hence they came.

He said the residents had vowed to re-build their shacks, and accused the police of disregarding court process.

“Why should the metro police demolish our shacks when the matter is still being argued in court,” he said.

The residents were trying to have the eviction order against them rescinded.

On Freedom day, the police escorted by Red Ants clashed with residents.

“The 15 shacks they broke down belong to people who have nowhere to go,” said Matlala.

He said the people who were in the settlement had been tenants in back rooms in the township or hostel dwellers and built the shacks because they could no longer afford rent.

“All they want is water and electricity,” said angry residents.

“We are still waiting for the mayor [Kgosientso Ramokgopa] to come and talk to us,” said Matlala.

Matlala said the residents told Ramokgopa last year of the housing need but instead of bringing a solution, the metro had sent the police to demolish their shacks.

“Where should we sleep now and we can’t keep on building our shacks every time the metro police demolished them”

Resident, Sipho Mahlangu said his cellphone was stolen during the demolition.

“Where should we go now because I have nowhere to go,” said Mahlangu.

The metro had not responded to the media enquiry by Record at the time of publishing.

Also read:

Evicted squatters are back 

Land grabbers vow to fight till the end