SEBOKENG. – The Red Ants conducted evictions on Waterdal Road in Sebokeng, leaving twenty-five individuals, including a one-month-old child, homeless last week.

This was the second eviction for this community, which had previously been displaced from Lethabong last year over allegations of illegally acquiring stands and occupying privately owned land. In response to their first eviction, the community members resorted to constructing makeshift shelters on Waterdal Road. However, their stay there was short-lived, as they were evicted once again last week.

Following this second eviction, they occupied land located behind the Caltex filling station, across Boiketlong (‘Serope sea benya’). The group said that they were in desperate need of assistance and felt abandoned by the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM).

They also claimed that nobody cared about their plight. Reports had suggested that the group was hoping to occupy RDP houses in Boiketlong or nearby Lethabong illegally and that many of them lacked proper documentation.

In an interview with Sedibeng Ster, Jonas Masike, the leader of the group, conveyed a profound sense of disappointment with the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) and the community members felt that the ELM should have been providing assistance and support instead of deploying the Red Ants to forcefully remove them from their makeshift homes.

Masike emphasised their urgent need for a place to reside, clarifying that their request wasn’t solely for free houses but for access to land equipped with essential amenities such as water and sanitation facilities.

He said that they were not foreigners, despite allegations to the contrary, and they had provided the necessary documentation to substantiate their legal status.

Their main goal was to secure land where they could build their own homes. A community member, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed Masike’s sentiments and voiced frustration with the ELM for what they perceived as betrayal.

Ward 36 Councillor, Mpho “Fish” Kolisang cautioned against unscrupulous individuals exploiting vulnerable people by promising to sell or provide land that did not belong to them. He encouraged people to be vigilant and investigate before parting with their hard-earned money in exchange for land. Kolisang explained that the group had been residing on privately owned land, and despite attempts by local councillors, including himself, to find an alternative solution, they resisted relocation.

Further investigations revealed that some members of the group had their RDP housing applications approved and were waiting for communication from the Department of Housing regarding their new homes. As of the time of printing, the group had moved from the land behind the Caltex garage, and their current location was uncertain.

Efforts to reach Masike for comment were unsuccessful as his phone numbers went to voicemail.