The eviction order was granted by the Honourable Judge Francis in the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division.
One of the organisers of the eviction, George Moraitis from CAM Security Services said, “We thought this one would be violent. Known criminals abide in the building.”
An eyewitness who lives adjacent to the building said, “The eviction was peaceful and there was no violence.”
“The building was feared along the street, people who found shelter in the building would rob pedestrians along the street and run into the building and hide. Even the police were scared to go in, ” added the eyewitness.
Fikile Makafela, a tenant who resides along Twist Street said, “No one is sorry for the people that lived in the building. Animals were slaughtered inside, and it was filled with criminals. My boy was once beaten and taken inside. He had his shoes taken off him and his money for food.”
Marcus Ferguson, an organiser of the eviction said, “Previous plans for buildings similar to Wellington Court that have been cleared out by us include the refurbishment and the development of well run, low cost housing, however, the amount of waste and structural damage to Wellington Court is a concern. We will have to assess what we are going to do going forward.”
Police spokesperson Colonel Koena Moichela said, “Our experience with hijacked buildings is that once they are cleaned out and the illegal occupants have been evicted, crime reduces in the area. Our view is that hijacked buildings pose an opportunity for those who wish to commit crime.”
HOMEGROWN TALENT: Siba Mtongana puts her cooking to the test at the Food Network Pavilion at the DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival.
HOMEGROWN TALENT: Siba Mtongana puts her cooking to the test at the Food Network Pavilion at the DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival.
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