Civilians living on military base relocated
SANDF grateful for help in relocating civilians living on military base
The South African Defence Force (SANDF) and representatives from the City of Ekurhuleni recently gathered at the Marievale Military Base to discuss the relocation of residents who were living on the base.
In 2017, the military discovered people had occupied some of the bungalows on the base.
Up to 17 families lived in one bungalow and the living conditions were terrible, with no running water or toilets.
The bungalows themselves were in a terrible state, with missing doors, windows and the ceilings were beginning to collapse.
In addition, activities such as prostitution were being carried out in these bungalows with one of them being used as a brothel.
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The military decided they could not allow people to occupy these bungalows, as weapon training was being done in the area.
Subsequently, the military, with the help of Ekurhuleni MMC for Human Settlements Lesiba Mpya, began relocating the people to ‘Happiness Village’ where the residents and their families were given informal housing.
After relocating the citizens, restorations began on the bungalows.
However, it was soon discovered that informal settlements were being erected in ‘Happiness Village’ using materials from the bungalows which were being renovated at the time.
The military and the housing department later decided to relocate the families to an informal settlement in Duduza called Zamani.
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Mpya stressed this was not a forced removal and residents were consulted and asked if they would like to move to a place where they would enjoy a better quality of life.
The vote to move was unanimous and 116 households relocated to Zamani.
“Poverty strips people of their dignity and humanity, and we wanted to do all we can to restore the dignity of these people.
“We want them to live peacefully in Zamani with the best quality of life we can give them,” said Mpya.
The military thanked Mpya and other members of the human settlements department for making the relocation process possible.
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