Squatters forced to move from land
The squatters who set up residence in a council-owned land along Main Reef Road, Boksburg North, have been forced to move from their small piece of land.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2014/07/31BASQUATFM1_510442237.jpg)
Driving in a truck and a car, a crew of Ekurhuleni employees along with two EMPD police officers pounced on the ‘illegal settlement’ on Monday.
Residents allege that the two police officers verbally gave them an ultimatum to vacate the property immediately or face forced eviction.
“They threatened us with a force eviction if we fail to comply. We were asked to pack up and move to the piece of land round the corner. They were ready to load our stuff into the truck,” says one of the residents.
![Landless people at their temporary new settlement, next to the traffic light at the corner of Main Reef and Rietfontain.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2014/07/31BASQUATFM2_510442253-423x317.jpg)
To avoid being forcibly removed, the ‘squatter’ packed their belongings and moved into the small piece of land next to the traffic light at corner of Rietfontein and Main Reef Road, just a few metres from their old homes.
The settlers claim that the officers gave them permission to occupy the new place for only 48 hours.
“From there, the police told us to move to the privately-owned vacant piece of land on Rietfontein Road,” says a resident.
– @FanieBoksburg