At about 3.30 am on Friday, 12 April, furious tenants of the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) took their anger to the streets as they set alight dustbins and tyres, and used big rocks to close the roads of the CBD.
According to resident committee member, Sindiwsa Ntloko, the protest was about the ownership of the flats in which they live.
“We have been paying rent for over 10 years now but we still don’t own these flats. We want to own them. What will happen to our children when we die? Where will they go to, because they do not have homes?” Sindiwsa asked.
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One of the other issues raised is that of illegal foreign nationals who are living in some of the flats. Another issue is that some people are not paying the same amounts as others.
Roodepoort motorists were denied access to some areas of the CDB by the large number of outraged protesters blocking the roads.
Scenes from this morning’s protest. Photo: Lungi Ndimande.Residents hired buses to take them to Premier’s office in Marshalltown, stating that they will protest there until they get answers.
The Record has requested comment from Joshco, and will update readers as the day progresses.
