Displaced people have accused the Fairland police of deliberately setting their homes on fire on 25 May.
The homes are situated in the open veld opposite Wesbank and the fire spread rapidly through the dry grass.
According to one of the displaced persons, Thabiso Sefale, members of the Fairland police and Beagle Watch Armed Response arrived on the land just after 10am. Sefale said the police and security company officers did not tell them why they were there.
“They walked towards our homes with boxes of matches in their hands and other items to start a fire with,” alleged Sefale.
“We saw them lighting the matches and throwing it onto our homes and property. We were so shocked that we asked to remove our valuables before they got damaged. Some of the owners of the property were not here and would come back from work to find their items destroyed.”
He claimed that they were then told to leave the area and never come back. Some of the homes were not destroyed.
In response to the allegations, Fairland police spokesperson Constable Moloko Kgatla denied claims that his officers deliberately burnt down the displaced people’s homes. He confirmed that they arrived on the land at about 10am with members of Beagle Watch Armed Response.
“We were on the scene to set alight the long grass in the field because we are getting a number of crime-related incidents happening in the area,” he said. “Hence, we decided to burn the grass so that everyone can see beyond the long grass.
“We initially asked the displaced people to approach us before this operation today, in order for us to help them find a place to stay but they did not do that. Our concern is that residents are complaining about crime.”
He added that the fire was under control and the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services arrived to assist with it.
Beagle Watch Armed Response customer relations manager, Ann Wood said they were contacted by the Fairland police to assist them with a police operation. She added that the security company was following the police’s instructions.
Northcliff Melville Times has approached police and Metro police for further comment as to whether long grass is ordinarily set alight by police. This comment will follow as it becomes available.
Also read: Displaced people erect homes along Smit Street in Fairland
