The tension came after the residents, accused of building their homes on land that was reserved as business sites, refused to share their yards with others.
Ward Councillor of the area Clr Mthumeleni Nditha said residents took the land illegally and built their homes in 1998.
He explains that, after realising that many people are in need of a place to build their homes, the department of human settlement decided that the people who took the land illegally should at least share with others.
To show their disagreement to sharing their yards, residents allegedly demolished the shacks that were built in their yards by those who needed a place to live.
Nditha said despite a meeting that was held by him, the representatives from the department of human settlements and the residents involved where it was again agreed that residents should share the stands, the problem has not been solved.
“Desperate people’s shacks were again destroyed by the residents who refuse to share their land with others,” said Nditha.
He said a group of those who demolished these shacks at the beginning of the year was arrested and the suspects are expected to appear in Tsakane Magistrates Court on March 27 for malicious damage to property.
Nditha promised residents that the department of human settlements is working to find a solution to help accommodate those who are in desperate need of a place to build their homes.
