Evictions leave families stranded
In Church Street, four people were shot with rubber bullets.
THERE were at least three evictions in Turffontein and Forest Hill on March 6, which saw some of the families thrown out of their ‘houses’.
It happened in Ward 55 and 124, in Sheffield, Schuller and Church streets. Residents were left stranded as they had no place to stay. One resident by the name of Mavis said the Sheriff came while people were at work to evict them without any notice. In Church Street, four people were shot with rubber bullets. “We were shocked when we were told to get out and all our belonging were strewn on the pavements. Our personal belongings like IDs and money are missing,” she said.
Ward 55 Clr Rashieda Landis said she feels for anyone who was evicted. “It is not my mandate to allocate or evict. I am aware of these legal evictions. The residents contacted me and I told them that the evictions were legal. In that case, as a councillor, I cannot interfere as we have to uphold the rule of law.
“I had threats from the ANC and the Sanco group,” explained Clr Landis.
Ward 124 Clr Mongameli Mnyameni said it was very heartbreaking to see people’s belongings thrown out in the streets and the worse part was that it was raining.
“All those evicted families with their children have to sleep in the streets. What is more painful is that all the new owners of those so-called bought properties are foreign nationals, who own more than 12 houses in the area.
“One of the people from 83 Sheffield Street, where people were evicted, went to the High Court to verify the legitimacy of the documents. The eviction was granted in 2016, but the evictions are happening now! I think we really need a serious explanation from all stakeholders involved. I really think we must review our laws in terms of property ownership in our country. I think it is unlawful to give a foreign national a right to own any property in SA. They can lease, not buy! Our people cannot be treated like animals by foreign nationals in the name of our Constitution. There must be a proper investigation of how these houses were bought and how our people are being evicted inhumanly.
“Are these evictions what mayor Mashaba has said, namely that he will expropriate all the so-called hijacked buildings and give them to homeless people? How can you create homeless people and then say you’ll create houses for them? How is he going to do that without involvement of the councillor of the ward? People are in the streets now. Where is he now? It is raining and poor black people are suffering because of a rented mayor,” he said.
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
