Friday, May 22, marked a new beginning for about 135 families at the Fleurhof hostel, who were relocated from illegal structures and deteriorating living conditions to newly developed flats in Ext 21.

The families were evacuated and their homes demolished during an operation led by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements.

The operation involved the JMPD, police, Home Affairs, and Social Development. It formed part of efforts to demolish illegal structures, restore order, redevelop the area, and improve living conditions for residents.

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During the operation, about 10 undocumented foreign nationals were detained.

The MMC for Human Settlements, Councillor Mlungisi Mabaso, said the demolition was necessary as the City of Johannesburg intends to develop proper mixed housing on the site to benefit qualifying residents on the City’s housing waiting list.

“Every family moved today is on the beneficiary list and has been verified through Home Affairs to prevent fraud and ensure that no space is sold,” said Mabaso.

Some families at the hostel told the Roodepoort Record that the relocation marked the end of an era for them. They claimed they had not been allocated and, following the demolition of their homes, they had nowhere to go. However, Mabaso responded by saying those who were not allocated units were illegally occupying the area.

“We had people building new illegal homes because they somehow wanted to be part of the beneficiary list after hearing that some residents were going to be relocated. That’s not how we work, and we will not entertain individuals wanting to jump queues.

“Immediately after all the structures have been demolished, we will deploy security to ensure that there are no new squatters because we want to begin with development,” he said.

Mabaso further alleged that the hostel had been infiltrated by illegal miners and praised law enforcement agencies for ongoing operations aimed at protecting residents and stabilising the area ahead of the redevelopment project.

He also advised residents whose RDP flats have allegedly been hijacked to contact the Group Forensic Investigation Unit, emphasising that co-operation and evidence are important in investigating such allegations.

Some of the residents who were allocated to new flats expressed joy to the Record, saying the living conditions at the hostel were dangerous and dilapidated.

“I have been living here for almost six years, and I have never felt safe. We lived with daily crime, such as robberies, and I actually had to move my child from here because it wasn’t safe. I’m very happy we are moving to a much safer place,” said one resident who chose to remain anonymous.