IN PICTURES: Mass evictions take place in Windsor
WINDSOR EAST – The streets of Windsor East were painted red today as the all too familiar outfits of the Red Ant Security Services moved in to evict residents from flats.
The streets of Windsor East were painted red as the all too familiar outfits of the Red Ant Security Services moved into evict residents from flats.
In an early morning operation on 17 April, the Red Ants broke down doors flat by flat, emptying every last scrap of furniture, clothes and electronics from the dwellings.
According to Linden police’s Captain Alex Vermaak, the high court ordered residents of 70 flats in 19 buildings in the Windsor East area to be evicted.
He added that residents were given a prior warning about the evictions well in advance on 9 April.
“Tenants failed to comply with their rental contracts… The occupants have been paying their rent into the account of the Windsor Community Recovery Movement, which the court found to not be in order,” said Vermaak.
The Windsor Community Recovery Movement collects rent from member tenants and withholds it from the landlords until their demands are met.
The movement claims it stops landlords charging high rentals and high water and electricity charges. It also ensures that properties are maintained and addresses overcrowding and crime.
The Randburg Sun reported last year that the movement had been accused of intimidating landlords and non-member tenants. It was also reported last year that the movement’s leader, Amos Maruping had confirmed that they had been taken to the High Court for cases of intimidation
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Linden police spokesperson Constable Takalani Matumba said, “The sheriff of the court today is enforcing the evictions with the help of the Red Ants, and we as the police will be there solely to observe.”
A resident who did not wish to be named for fear of further victimisation said, “I pay my rent regularly and this is not fair… Where am I supposed to sleep tonight?”
Other bystanders did not share the same viewpoint. One resident who also wished to remain anonymous said, “This is good. If I don’t pay my rent, then I will be evicted, so these people have not paid and they must go.”
Details: Linden police 011 888 9299.
