JMPD accused of mistreatment residents in the Modderfontein Road tent
Phangisani Mncube, who stays on the side of the road after being evicted, said JMPD took the tent and allegedly threatened them with firearms.
It does not rain, but it pours for Modderfontein Road settlers, who had found temporary refuge on the side of the road after being evicted from an open field.
Now, the residents have accused the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) of mistreating them after burning their belongings and taking the tent they were staying in.
This happened on June 20, when the authorities allegedly ambushed them, without serving them notice, or warning them, according to one resident.
Read more: Ward 112 councillor aware of illegal dwellers
The paper contacted JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla on June 21 and again on June 24 and 25.
Some of the questions posed to the authorities were: why was the tent taken, which by-law(s) the road settlers infringed on, and whether they were warned and given notice.
However, Fihla had not responded at the time of going to print, despite numerous phone calls, emails, and WhatsApp texts.
Phangisani Mncube, who stays at the site, said they took the tent and allegedly threatened them with firearms.
Also read: SeMSA commends efforts in Modderfontein evictions but highlights broader concerns
“They came here around 10:00 and started taking our belongings and pointed at us with firearms. They then took the tent we were staying in before burning our belongings and then left,” said Mncube.
He said they did not understand why their tent, which was donated by a local church, had to be taken, and their belongings set alight when they were not aggressive or fighting the authorities.
The settlers moved onto the side of the road when they were evicted by JMPD and Red Ants, in conjunction with the Gauteng Department of Human Settlement earlier this year.
Related article: Evicted families squatter along Modderfontein and Dale roads
