Makhubo claimed that he only ordered them to destroy shacks and houses that were not occupied, and occupied homes were not touched.
Johannesburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo and Gauteng Human Settlements, Urban Planning and Cogta MEC Lebogang Maile were unable to address angry residents of the Kokotela informal settlement in Lawley, south of Johannesburg, on Sunday.
On Thursday, Makhubo ordered security and evictions company Red Ants to destroy shacks and houses that had been illegally built by the residents. “We are now squatting in people’s homes because of Makhubo. He should have consulted with us and given us enough time to vacate the land after lockdown,” said Rathebe.Manana Tsotetsi lost her two-bedroom brick house.“They proceeded straight to my house with an excavator and brought it down. I told them I had no other place to go and they laughed at me when they took away part of my building material,” said Tsotetsi.
“My fridge, television and other appliances were stolen before my house was brought to the ground. I was away in Soweto when I was called by a neighbour that my house was being destroyed. Maile’s spokesperson Castro Ngobese said the purpose of the visit was to undertake an assessment of the situation on the ground, following demolitions of unoccupied and incomplete structures in order to prevent ongoing “land invasions” in the area.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WATCH: Joburg mayor, MEC labelled 'cowards, hypocrites' for skipping Lawley visitJoburg mayor Geoff Makhubo and Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Lebogang Maile were labelled 'cowards and hypocrites' after they reneged on their visit to Lawley.
Read more »
Fire destroys homes in AlexandraSome families in Alexandra's Organic Market informal settlement are without homes.
Read more »
Evicted Empolweni residents set to rebuild after high court victoryResidents of the Empolweni informal settlement in Khayelitsha are anxiously waiting for their building materials to be returned after their Western Cape High Court victory on Friday.
Read more »
City of Cape Town told to give back material taken during shack evictionsThe relief relates only to the urgent matters of restoration of materials and permission to return to the land. The matter will be heard in full after the Covid-19 lockdown has ended.
Read more »
City of Cape Town told to give back material taken during shack evictionsResidents of Empolweni informal settlement whose homes were demolished by the City of Cape Town won a victory in the Western Cape High Court on Friday.
Read more »
Taylor Swift cancels all live appearances and concerts for 2020
Read more »