Sandringham police probe series of illegal eviction cases in River Park
RIVER PARK – They come in and remove all the belongings and then get others to occupy these houses.
Sandringham police confirmed on 4 September that they were investigating a series of cases of illegal evictions in the River Park area.
Captain Mohlaume Mamabolo, the spokesperson for the Sandringham Police Station, said investigations were still underway and no arrests have made yet.
Apparently, there is a group of men who call themselves ‘Dudula’ and they allegedly go around evicting people from their houses.
A source who wished to remain anonymous said the group claimed that they and their parents, like many others, have been waiting to be allocated houses and they will, therefore, evict those who were allocated houses before them.
“They come in and remove all the belongings and then get others to occupy these houses,” claimed the source.
Ward 81 councillor Irene Rugheimer confirmed that the unlawful evictions were taking place and she had been in contact with the police to address the situation.
Rugheimer said cases have been opened at the Sandringham Police Station by a few residents of River Park who claim they were evicted by this group.
“I had a meeting with SAPS on 2 September and they will be following up the cases where letters of allocations by the housing department have been produced [by the evicted residents],” added Rugheimer.
“The allocation papers confirm that those evicted have the right to be there. These Dudula’guys are a law unto themselves and have even beat up people who resist being evicted,” she alleged.
Rugheimer urged people who claimed they had been evicted and could produce housing allocation letters or title deeds to go and open cases with the police.
Mamabolo confirmed that cases of illegal eviction have been opened with them.
“In some of the cases it is alleged that they break into the houses and if they don’t find occupants, they allegedly destroy property but all of that is still being investigated. No arrests have been made yet but investigations are underway,” he said.
Details: Sandringham police 011 719 4822/3.
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