Eldorado Park residents defy eviction without court order
Frustrated residents vow not to move until the government addresses decades-long housing delays.
Unauthorised occupants resisted a forceful eviction in Ext 6, Eldorado Park, after they illegally occupied a piece of vacant land on October 17.
This follows after JMPD and SAPS allegedly destroyed their structures and later attempted to confiscate their building material without a court order on October 23.
However, law enforcement was stopped in their tracks by Ward 18 Clr Juwairiya Kaldine, who demanded to see the eviction order.
@sowetourbannews EXT 6 residents in Eldorado Park refuse to be evicted by JMPD and SAPS without a court order. They illegally occupied the land on Friday, October 17. The residents have been requesting the City of Johannesburg to implement the rapid land release programme in Eldos. #tiktoklive #livehighlights đź“ąItumeleng Modiba
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Residents accused the police of assault and unnecessarily pepper-spraying community leaders, women and children who were protecting their structures while demanding that police produce an eviction order.
The co-ordinator of the Gauteng Housing Crisis Committee, Shaquill Kasan, said residents were left with no choice but to occupy the land, stressing that they would not move unless authorities followed proper legal steps.
He argued that the municipality had ignored repeated requests for engagement over housing solutions and that Rapid Land Release remained their preferred way forward.
“Yes, this is an illegal occupation, but the PIE Act requires a court order before anyone is removed, and today the authorities arrived with none,” Kasan said.
He added that they would rebuild their structures and continue until authorities either return with a court order or engage them to find an amicable solution, as families in Ext 6 have nowhere else to go.
Kaldine said she has long supported the community’s call for land, noting she had previously proposed that people be allowed to build their own homes without relying on government funding.
She explained that residents were fully aware the occupation was illegal, but insisted that after more than 48 hours, the situation had changed.
@sowetourbannews JMPD and SAPS attempted to evict illegal occupant at Ext 6, Eldorado Park without a eviction order. #tiktoklive #livehighlights đź“ą Itumeleng Modiba
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“Give the people the land and give them three years to build. Government is not building houses for our people because there’s always no budget,” she said, adding that this had been raised during the CBP and IDP processes.
The councillor criticised authorities for arriving without the necessary court documentation and challenged police on this when they arrived on scene.
“They did not present any documentation. I asked for the court order or the eviction order – I have a responsibility to my community when they call on me,” she said.
She further stated that as long as the occupation continues, she will continue to oppose removals.
Kaldine said even with a court order, evictions should start in Nana’s Farm and Slovo Park.
Eldorado Park Steering Committee secretary, Miles Bhudu, said the community has reached a breaking point after more than three decades of waiting for dignified housing.
ALSO READ: Eldorado Park residents demand housing and services
He explained that residents had been pushed too far and are now united in securing land for their families.
“This land will be occupied; we are not going anywhere. Authorities must now account for years of neglect and the unlawful demolition of people’s structures,” Bhudu said.
Soweto Urban has contacted JMPD and Eldorado Park SAPS for comment. A response will be published once made available.
