eMBALENHLE – The old Tsalanang Flats were a war zone on Tuesday, 18 September when residents and contractors fought over the continuation of the project in the area.
Members of both groups sustained injuries and various cases of assault were opened at the eMbalenhle Police Station.
All hell broke loose when the contractors allegedly forcefully evicted the residents of the Tsalanang Flats and claimed they wanted to do their job.
The contractors broke windows and removed ceilings while residents were inside the flats.
The residents retaliated and a huge fight broke out.
Police were summoned to intervene and to restore the peace.
Residents of the Tsalanang Flats said they were not resisting vacating the flats, but only wanted to be told where to go.
They alleged Govan Mbeki Municipality promised them stands or RDP houses, but that they never received these.
They said until they were told where to go, they would not vacate the flats and were ready to die for their rights.
Mr Mziwakhe Ntshalintshali, spokesman for the Tsalanang tenants, said the contractors organised hooligans to attack them.
“They were there to fight and they hurled stones and vandalised the flats.
“A 10-month-old baby narrowly escaped death when a brick was thrown into the room that he was sleeping in.
“What they did was uncalled for and we hope they will be prosecuted for their behaviour.”
Mr Ntshalintshali criticised the Govan Mbeki Housing Company and alleged that the company is operating illegally and is looting money.
He alleged that a council resolution was taken in 2012 to terminate the contract between the Govan Mbeki Housing Company and the municipality.
Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, instructed the former acting municipal manager, Mr Thisha Mhlanga, to investigate what is going on at the Tsalanang Flats during her inaugural speech. Residents however said it was never investigated.
“A serious investigation must be launched, because I believe there is a lot of corruption going on here.
“The new flats are already leaking and cracking.
“We have requested the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) to intervene and investigate.
“They came, but could not continue with the work because of the fighting.
“We have the minutes of a meeting during which the main contractor acknowledged that some of the new flats have problems and that he intended to fix the problems.
“We are calling on Govan Mbeki Municipality to give us alternative places to stay and to sort out this mess.”
Ms Ethel Nkosi, MMC: Community Service, was also asked to intervene. She spoke with the residents and the contractors.
She apparently reprimanded the contractors for their violent approach and encouraged them to always follow the right procedure for dealing with matters.
Mr Humphrey Dube, EFF councillor, condemned the contractors and said there is no leadership at Govan Mbeki Municipality.
“Council took a resolution that the tenants should not be forcefully removed, so why do the contractors have the audacity to touch them?
“This is because we have an incompetent mayor who can not take decisions.
“This mayor is failing our people and is compromising the dignity of the municipality.
“We will support the motion of no confidence in her, because we want her out.”
Mr Douglas Mahlangu, ward councillor, said he would continue to talk with all the stakeholders in an attempt to come up with solutions.
“We have held various meetings with the residents and other stakeholders without yielding fruitful results, but we will continue.
“I condemn the violence and call on residents and contractors to come on board so we can come up with solutions.
“It is untrue that we did not give residents an alternative place to stay. We agreed that they would move out of the flats.
“They then came with a different story and said the new flats were too small and not up to standard.”
The contractors did not comment at time of going to press.
