City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said more than 1 000 illegal land occupants in Glen Marikana were evicted on July 24.
He said the CoE asked the sheriff for 30 days for it to find alternative accommodation for the residents of Glen Marikana “given that this would create a humanitarian crisis”.
He said the city’s Human Settlements Department had lists of all Glen Marikana residents, those relocated to Purfontein and people who remained at Glen Marikana.
Dlamini told The Thembisan that community leaders from Glen Marikana did not want the department to use its lists but rather their own.
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“Before relocation consultations with the Ward 4 community took place, an agreement was reached to accommodate Ward 4 and Glen Marikana residents.
“The CoE owns the land and earmarked a portion of it to accommodate the community of Glen Marikana.
“However, an agreement to also accommodate Ward 4 residents was made,” said Dlamini.
Dlamini added that the Human Settlements Department was allocating land to those evicted. However, the community leaders from Glen Marikana did not want the process to conclude.
“The affected people remain unallocated as a result. The solution is for all parties involved to work together to conclude the allocations.”
According to Dlamini, when the Glen Marikana community was about to be evicted, the city decided to relocate them to Oakmor.
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“Allocations are done by the Human Settlements Department solely, and the allocations take place against the background provided.
“The department is working hand in hand to allocate the evicted people from Glen Marikana,” said Dlamini.
“The only thing stopping the allocation process is the Glen Marikana leaders.
“The city has tried to allocate the affected people, but the Glen Marikana leaders have stopped the individuals from interacting with the officials,” he said.
