#ICYMI: Orange Grove residents stage housing protest

Residents of Orange Grove staged a protest on the corner of Louis Botha Avenue and 10th Street on Saturday, 6 January.

They blocked the intersection with burning tyres and mattresses.

According to Ward 73 councillor, Eleanor Huggett, the protest aimed to show the residents’ dissatisfaction with what is happening regarding the leasing of houses in Orange Grove, as well as to show their concerns regarding the number of illegal activities taking place in the area. Huggett cited the illegal activities as the selling of drugs and alcohol, along with the increase in the number of muggings.

Huggett visited the protesting residents on Saturday. “The police were there when I arrived and they were observing the situation and said the residents wanted to speak to me and they would call a couple of representatives but I said I would prefer to speak to the whole group,” said Huggett.

“I walked into the intersection and we discussed the various issues. The Metro police arrived to offer support. I reiterated that I, as councillor, had no jurisdiction to resolve the issues regarding houses under contention but could request a meeting with Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), who does.”

According to Huggett, she had met with other stakeholders late last year regarding this matter and had requested another meeting but she was still awaiting their response.

“I contacted them [JPC] by telephone yesterday [5 January] to repeat the request for a further meeting, but the one person concerned was on leave and the other is not answering the call.

“I assured the residents that I would do everything in my power to organise a meeting as soon as possible with JPC so JPC can give clarification as to the status of the properties they have purchased,” she said.

Huggett added that the residents also wanted to have a cleanup of Louis Botha Avenue next Sunday over and above the A Re Sebetseng campaign which was planned for the following Saturday in the same area.

“Some of the residents and I then cleared the intersection of the smouldering debris, pushing it to the corners of the intersection so the traffic flow could resume,” said the councillor.

She said eviction notices have been served last year to people illegally occupying houses owned by JPC but, in spite of requests, she has not had any feedback on the outcome.

“The whole situation is being officially investigated,” concluded Huggett.

No arrests were made, according to Norwood Police Station’s spokesperson, Captain Elliot Tshivhase.

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