Officials raid old Parkhurst Bowls Club, displaced left with nothing

In a sudden and unannounced raid on October 22, authorities dismantled makeshift shacks at the old Parkhurst Bowls and Soccer Club, leaving displaced individuals without their belongings. The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), 24/7 Security, Gauteng Traffic, ward councillor Kyle Jacobs, and members of the Parkview Community Policing Forum (CPF) were all present during the operation.

The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) announced earlier this year that Genzenix (PTY) LTD was named the winner of the new tender for a mixed-use development on the property. They were tasked with clearing informal settlements.

Read more here: Old Parkhurst Bowls and Soccer Club up for a tender

The raid surprised the informal settlers and left many devastated. According to one of the informal residents, previously authorities have provided notice before such actions, allowing people to gather their items. This time, however, they were given no warning, and their food, blankets, and money were confiscated. One displaced individual voiced their distress: “We’re usually given time to prepare, but this time they left us with nothing.”

Read more here: City puts the Old Parkhurst Bowls/Soccer Club on tender

The area has been a contentious issue in the Parkhurst community. While some residents express frustration with the conditions around the club, others empathise with the plight of those living there. The division within the community mirrors a broader debate on how to handle Johannesburg’s increasing number of displaced individuals.

Attempts to get further information or statements from authorities on site were met with silence, leaving the Rosebank Killarney Gazette with more questions than answers.

Read more here: Tender submissions for Old Parkhurst property about to close

For now, those left homeless by the raid face a harsh reality: rebuilding their lives without the basic necessities they once had.