Residents of the Ruskamers in Bethal receive eviction notices

BETHAL – Residents living at the Transnet Property, also known as the Ruskamers, were given the notice to vacate the premises by June 30.

The notice, which was dated May 18, stated that the residents are illegally occupying Transnet Property and that failure to vacate, will result in Transnet Property proceeding with legal action against the residents who will be liable for legal costs.

Ridge Times paid a visit to the tenants at the Ruskamers.

According to residents, this was the first notice they have received.

In previous years, the property was an overnight-facility for train operators.

It has since been converted into living quarters for people living below the breadline.

Although they wished not to be named, the residents voiced their concerns over having nowhere to go once they are evicted at the end of the month.

One resident has been residing at the Ruskamers for 20 years and said she has no idea where to go.

She has a son who recently matriculated and a nine-year-old daughter.

These residents make do with the little they have.

When visiting them, one of the residents was heating water in a bucket to have a bath.

The residents also stated that in all the years there has never been any maintenance done on the premises and that the building is a fire hazard.

“We can’t even run hot water without getting shocked. Most of the power supply outlets do not work,” said a resident.

Another resident said that they have reached out to Transnet for payment arrangements and banking details.

“We were told they will come back to us with application forms which they did send. These application forms were printed and filled in by the residents, but because of the continuous power outages, we struggled to send back these forms.

“In the meantime, we also insisted on banking details,” said the resident.

A woman claimed she pays R1 300 for a small single room.

“I am a pensioner, it is just too expensive, I cannot afford it,” said the resident.

“A woman by the name of Linky from Transnet Property said they do not worry where we go from here. She said we must get out,” said the resident.

A new couple just moved into a room after their Wendyhouse burnt down.

They do not know where to go from here because they have nothing.

“Everything we had, was destroyed in the fire.

“We have no family or friends who can help us.

“We had to beg for a place to stay but no one wanted to help us. My husband and I were left on the streets,” said the wife.

The local soup kitchen, which is situated on the premises of the Ruskamers and is run by Ms Lettie Olivier, will be moving just around the corner from  Transnet Property at the end of the month.

“Although we will be moving our soup kitchen to Mr Douw Briel’s premises, we will continue to hand out food to those who need it,” said Ms Olivier.

Ms Olivier feeds 258 people from 90 households.

The Ridge Times have since reached out to Transnet Property’s Ms Mafudi (Linky) Molelekeng, Acting Leasing Manager for Transnet Property.

She said in a telephonic interview that she is trying to get the residents to sign a contract and negotiate payment agreement for rental of the rooms.

“Currently they are not paying anything to us.

“What we are doing, is to get them to sign a contract,” said Ms Molelekeng.

The Ridge Times pointed out that the letter the residents had received, is not a rental payment agreement but a notice to vacate.

“It is not actually an eviction notice. It is a notice for them (the residents) to come forward and sign contracts.

“We tried talking to them but there was no action,” said Ms Molelekeng.