Hillary residents fight for elderly woman

RESIDENTS from Arundle Road in Hillary blocked the road and burnt tyres to protect a 70-year-old woman from being evicted from her flat this morning, (Wednesday, 21 September).

According to one of the residents, Sdumo Ngwane, Hlaleleni Mtshali has been residing in Primrose Hall for the past 21 years.

“She lives in a double flat with her grandchildren and they make ends meet. Mtshali is old and has knee problems, where is she supposed to go?”.

Ngwane said the flats were part of the RDP programme which their families were given for free by the government.

“They were built for people who earned a lower income and it really shocked us when on Monday a sheriff of the court came with police to evict the Mtshali family.

“What made the situation worse was the force that they were using to chase the old woman out of her house.”

Another resident, Jabu Goqo, said they have been told that Mtshali’s flat was auctioned in 2013 as she owed levies.

“She still has her title deeds but apparently it has been changed and it now belongs to someone else.

“How much does she owe which could lead to her being thrown out into the streets?” asked Goqo.

Police had to intervene to clear the area and disperse angry residents. Ward 65 councillor, Samantha Windvogel, came to hear the people’s grievances and promised to look into the problem.

Updates to follow.