Update, 4 February 2017, 4pm
The stand-off between the South African Police and the Metro police, as well as a group of residents, whose attempt last night [3 February] to invade and occupy land illegally in Lombardy, continued this morning.
The police, backed by the public order unit, engaged with the group, who said they weren’t fighting the police but vowed they wouldn’t leave the area as government and council have, for years, failed to fulfil promises to get them houses.
Claiming to be street traders and lowly-paid employees the group said they couldn’t afford monthly rentals of R1 500 to R2 000 in Alex shacks. “Most of us have been on the housing waiting list for a long time without success and both council and government appear unconcerned about us,” said Maruping Matlou.
Read 50 houses demolished in Lombardy West
She added they had done some research and found the vacant land doesn’t belong to anyone, yet council had for years claimed it was set aside for a library and the Rea Vaya transport network, which has not materialised. Princess Venge said they were kicked off the land and their shacks burnt and destroyed by some Lombardy residents in December last but they will not give up, given their dire circumstances. She claimed the local councillor, Irene Rugheimer visited the area this morning but didn’t engage with them.
“The matter will only be resolved if authorities engage with us on concrete plans with timelines for when they will provide the promised houses,” Venge said. The councillor was unavailable at the time the story was published.
Initial Story, 3 February 2017, 22.00pm
Constable David Mothapo, spokesperson of the Greater Joburg Police Cluster has said about 100 people, presumed to be from Alex and surrounds have gathered in Lombardy East, on the corner of Vincent Tshabalala Street and Grenville Road.
Mothapo said it is presumed that the people are trying to occupy a vacant piece of land in the area, with some attempting to erect shacks. Mothapo said the group does not seem to have a leader.
Sandringham police are on the scene monitoring the situation and no incidences of violence have been reported.
