Homeless people left stranded after EMPD eviction

Finding a place to live and settle in for five months was a short-lived experience for a homeless group, which was left distressed and stranded after the EMPD evacuated them on September 9.

To their surprise, the group residing under the trees in New Market near Ring Road East just behind Alberton Bowling Club, received a visit from the EMPD recently.

The EMPD officials reportedly took their tents and made a mess of their place, leaving them without shelter. According to Erica van der Merwe (61), the EMPD officials did not conduct their duty in a proper manner.

“They came here about a week ago and said we cannot stay here, but we asked them for a letter notifying us to leave the place. “They then came and threw out all our belongings, made a mess of this place and took all our tents which were donated by local churches,” she said.

Van der Merwe told the RECORD she felt it was not fair for the EMPD officers to evict them in that way.

“We clean the place and make sure we live peacefully and not cause problems. We just wanted something in writing telling us our stay here had come to an end and that way we would move without a fight,” she said.

Among those residing there were Cathy Meyer, an epileptic bedridden and partially blind 50-year-old who lives off chronic medication. She described the officials’ conduct as being unsympathetic and that they were now concerned about where to go to next.

“I was lying on my bed when they told me to get out of my tent and they just took things apart. They had no mercy when they came out here. I don’t believe there was a complaint because people from Alberton are the ones who look after us. We are now clueless about where to go next,” said Meyer.

She said she was mostly worried about her health and their safety since they will now be easily exposed to harsh conditions.

Kobeli Mokheseng, EMPD acting chief superintendent, assured the RECORD the occupants were notified a week before to evacuate the area.

“On August 31, the Alberton precinct commander and his team made a turn under the trees in New Market near Ring Road East municipal land or council property. This was after receiving numerous complaints from concerned members of the community,” he said.

He said the officials found five tents, eight occupants and personal belongings on site and the occupants were instructed to evacuate within 24 hours. 

“The message landed on Marius Cromhout and they promised to leave. The ward councillor responsible for the area, Tiaan Kotzé, was also made aware by the EMPD. On September 1, people were still there, illegally occupying the land. The EMPD engaged the responsible councillor again and he promised to attend to them,” said Mokheseng.

“The complainants were given ample time to evacuate, warnings and relevant stakeholders were roped in as well before their removal and impound.”

Kotzé, Ward 37 councillor, reiterated he was only contacted in regards to alternative accommodation. “I contacted the official from the health and social development department who was assisting with the four shelters which were temporarily opened during lockdown. Most of those are closed as the homeless left. Ward 37 helped facilitate 77 homeless people in the ward to go there,” said Kotzé.

“The remaining temporary shelters are being closed due to lockdown moving to lower levels. I was told at that time they are not taking new admissions. The City should budget for homeless shelters to start within at least the major towns in the city. It’s a shame there aren’t any shelters in Alberton. That is why it’s on my ward’s development plan.”