Here are only some of the stories from members of the Windsor Community Recovery Movement. Please note some information has been removed or edited to protect the identity of those concerned.
Kutlo Matshwi: Princess Place, Windsor East
Matshwi joined the movement because she feels that rent in the area is too high. She used to pay R3 000 for her one-bedroom apartment, she now pays R4 300.
“The overcrowding, corruption and street vendors make our suburb look like Hilbrow,” said Matshwi. “We have talked and talked to our owners and nothing gets done about it. We have no choice but to resort to harsh action in order to get noticed.”
Ndodana Ncube: Countesses Avenue, Windsor East
Ncube lives in a housing unit made out of an old shipping container. He joined the movement because he wants rental prices to decrease. The unit was built by Jika Properties, the biggest owner of residential property in Windsor, who appointed Citiq Property Developers for the construction. According to an article on the City of Johannesburg’s website from May 2012, “The block of flats was built to cater for those earning about R13 000 a month and, as a result, tenants can afford the monthly rental of between R3 500 and R4 200.”
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The building is now according to him managed by Mafadi Management Letting Sales. However, Ncube was told when he first started renting that it was ‘lost cost housing’.
“I have to pay R4 000 to live in a container, it is so bad I can hear my neighbours talking,” said Ncube.
Edwin Mokothu: Summerleigh flats
Mokgothu has been living in Windsor in his flat for over 14 years. He remembers days when the area was a safe and nice place to live, but he now is faced with endless water problems. He joined the movement because he believes he pays too much for water.
“There is something very wrong with my water meter. I have complained and nothing gets done. I must be paying for other people’s water in the complex because there is no way I use R1 500 or more worth of water,” said Mokgothu.
Percy Moyo: Windsor East
Moyo sympathises with the ideals of the movement because she herself and her little daughter were illegally evicted from their home.
“I had to sleep outside for two days at one point because when I came back from work they had changed the locks, how can that be right?” asked Moyo.
She explained how to got a court order instructing the landlords to let her back into the property but they apparently did it again. “On 23 May they turned my water and lights off so I went to the Randburg court who demanded that the landlords turn everything back on.
“They kept harassing me and kept turning off my water and electricity, it’s not right.”
Moyo pays R7 500 for a two bedroom flat, slightly above normal rental for the area.
‘Memory’: Selwyn Property, Windsor East
She complained about the lack of maintenance on her property, mainly the cost of water and dilapidated plumbing.
“Whenever the people that live in the flat above me bath, the water is charged to my water meter. The very same meter has broken into pieces after being checked, that clearly tells you how faulty it is.”
Thuli Malife: Kemwin, Dutchesses Avenue, Windsor East
He has lived in his flat for 10 years and originally paid between R2 500 to R3 000 in rent.
“I used to pay R50 for my water usage; I now pay in the thousands.” He now pays R6 500 in rent and is not in possession of the lease agreement.
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