Traffic Police clamps down on bridge dwellers
Randfontein Traffic Police allegedly burn belongings of Mackay Street bridge dwellers.
On Wednesday 22 October the Randfontein Traffic Police allegedly burned the belongings and make-shift homes of those living under the bridge on Mackay Street.
“They did not give us notice,” claims one of the people who lives there and witnessed the whole ordeal. He claims the Randfontein Traffic Police showed up unannounced, poured petrol over their beds and belongings, and set it alight. Allegedly is happened around midday when most of the men were out looking for piece jobs.
At the scene the herald heard allegations that Traffic Police specifically targeted and burned everything they found at the spot where the 12 men usually sleep, but not where they usually sit together.
The herald attempted to contact Randfontein Traffic Chief Kenny Mampondo for comment but despite five phone calls both to his landline and his cellphone he could not be reached.
Those affected by the Traffic Police’s actions say they have been living next to the bridge since the early 1990s and do not understand why they were ‘evicted’ in such an excessive fashion.
One of the men who spoke to the herald says he is angry and hurt by the whole ordeal. All the men say their biggest problem is that their identification documents and clothes were burned.
“How can we go back home with these clothes? Who is going to pay for our IDs?” exclaimed one of the men.
It was a good thing. 5 stars for traffic police. These people say how must they go home with those clothing, then I ask if you have a home why are you staying under the bridge ? From experience those people were most criminals staying there.