They took to the streets, rolling up mobile toilets and filling buckets with faeces to barricade the Golden Highway.Community members pointed at the RDP houses in Zone 19, a stone’s throw away from their shacks, saying they were in possession of ‘happy letters.’ This was on record and could be checked with the Gauteng Department of Housing. They are approved and should be occupying those houses.

One of the leaders – Tsietsi – said they resolved to close the road in order to hit the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) and the Gauteng Provincial Housing Department where it hurts most. “ The time for negotiations is over – We need direct answers right now,” he said.

Three hours were enough. Acting Emfuleni Mayor Khulu Malindi and Emfuleni Public Safety MMC Velly Mcera arrived. They were collected by the Emfuleni municipal police led by Chauke Rampako.

Councillor Malindi requested the community to establish an interim committee. He invited them to the mayor’s parlour for October 20. Malindi promised to invite the office of Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Sedibeng Housing MMC Assistance Mshudulu and Emfuleni Housing MMC Manana Khubeka.

“The land belongs to Emfuleni but the provincial government provides for the building of houses,” said MMC Mcera in the service delivery war-room.

The premier has since promised the community of Zone 19 to evict all illegal occupants in RDP houses. Makhura told residents this at a recent public meeting in Mafatsane.