Mariannridge shack dwellers left in the cold
Ward 15 councillor, Sifiso Ngcobo said people were living in the area illegally as no one has a right to build in that area.
PUNCHES, rubber bullets and insults was the response Mariannridge shack dwellers received when they demanded answers about the ‘unlawful’ eviction last week.
The incident, which happened on Thursday, 13 April, left more than 30 families, some with children as young as one month old, stranded.
Residents said they received no prior notification of the eviction.
On Thursday, the ward councillor went to the area and told them they had to evacuate the place in 14 days.
“But in less than an hour, we had a crowd of people carrying axes and guns arrive,” said a resident.
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Another resident, Nomnikelo Mtshengu, whose house was also destroyed, said she has never witnessed such brutality.
“It was raining when they kicked us out. We did not even get a chance to take out our belongings. Instead we were beaten and shot with rubber bullets in full view of children. We do not know where to go now. We are living in our neighbours’ houses,” said Mtshengu.
The residents told Highway Mail they moved into the area about three years ago because they did not have a place to stay.
“Some people have built brick houses. Why did they leave us to stay in this area for such a long time. The funny part is that when the local councillor was still looking for votes, he told us that they are going to upgrade this area, but we have never since him since until he came here with a crowd of people to demolish our houses,” said another resident.
Ward 15 councillor Sifiso ‘Nada’ Ngcobo said the shacks were demolished because those people were invading the property.
“Since last year, we have been speaking to the residents to watch out and report people who are illegally building in that area. I have called so many meetings to discuss this issue.
“There are people who are residing in that area legally and even have house numbers. The property, which is now being invaded, was set aside to upgrade that area to build better houses for the shack dwellers,” explained Ngcobo.
He said that people from as far as the Eastern Cape have now built houses in the area.
“The problem was handed over to a security company now on guard as no one has a right to build in that area.”
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Ngcobo said, ” I have asked for four people from the community who said they needed to speak to the mayor as they now have no place to stay, but to date, no one has come forward.”
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