‘Red Ants’ evict over 700 families from college grounds
More than 700 families were left homeless following recent evictions carried out by the 'Red Ants' at Aquaville settlement outside Groblersdal.
LIMPOPO – According to Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, the property belongs to the Sekhukhune TVET College which sought a court order for the removal of people occupying the land.
Kgolole Masemola, a community leader, said they were angered by the local municipality’s lack of intervention on the matter.
He said they were worried the local municipality only recognised Aquaville residents during election time and did not care about them.
“This is a serious problem for the residents of Aquaville. The local municipality comes to us when they need votes but today they claim no knowledge of our existence. We feel betrayed.
“They must give us our votes back because to them we do not exist.”
Masemola added people lost their property as the Red Ants carried out the evictions and that many were left homeless.
“We do not know where people are going to sleep. They don’t have food and others lost everything during the eviction process,” said Masemola, adding they needed the municipality to intervene in the saga and provide the affected families with an alternative place to stay.
“This is serious. We need the local and the district municipality to tell us where we should go.
“They know about us because we have lived here for more than 24 years,” concluded Masemola.
Lopi Ranala, Economic Freedom Fighters member, said the situation was bad in that it involved children, women and the disabled. Ranala said they were there to help people with their belongings as the red-ants damaged some of the property.
“We are going to engage the local municipality to see how they can help these people,” said Ranala.
Abbickey Kgolane, Sekhukhune TVET College Marketing Officer, confirmed the property belonged to the college and said the college acquired the property about three years ago.
Simon Makua, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality Communications Officer, said the municipality would not comment because the matter was between the evicted people and the owners of the property, Sekhukhune TVET College.
