Soshanguve ext 6 residents aggrieved by evictions
"They didn't even allow us to get our belongings."
Soshanguve extension 6 people whose shacks were demolished on Tuesday morning have expressed their disappointment on how their eviction was handled.
Residents embarked on a violent protest, setting alight a bus belonging to the demolishing company, a Mercedes Benz and two trucks.
A man, who was inside the Mercedes Benz, suffered third-degree burns and was taken to Steve Biko academic hospital.
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Another man, who was allegedly assaulted by protesters, was taken by ambulance to Dr George Mukhari hospital in Ga-Rankuwa.
Akasia police spokesperson Lindiwe Mdluli said an eviction order was granted by the court to remove illegal shacks that were erected next to the railway.
Tshwane metro police department spokesperson (TMPD) Nonhlanhla Mgiba said the premises were private property.
“A court order was obtained in 2019 and TMPD was only escorting the Sheriff to carry out the court order.”
People refused to vacate the area, saying that they had spent a lot of money to build the houses which were being demolished.
Law enforcement on the scene managed to restore calm in the area around 15:00 when they fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd that had been blockading roads with burning tires and rocks.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she spend at least R250 000 to build in the area.
She said she arrived in the area in September.
“I have a 10-year-old and a five-year-old, I am also pregnant. They did not even allow us to get our belongings. My husband was shot with a rubber bullet.
“Two beds, sofas, blankets, wardrobe with all our clothes were destroyed. Right now we do not have anything to wear.”
Ledwaba said she did not know where they were going to sleep as they come from Limpopo and this was their only home in Gauteng.
“When the sun sets, people will be going to their houses to sleep, where will I go? I’m not employed and the only income I have are government grants.”
Another resident, Andries Tabane, said he was shot with a rubber bullet when he tried to ask the demolishers to gather his belongings.
“I came here in August. We have never received any notice. I had already spent R45 000 trying to build this house.”
Efforts by Rekord to speak to the people who sold the residents the stands proved to be fruitless as the residents did not want to disclose who had sold them the land.
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