Judge Piet Meyer of the High Court in Johannesburg ordered that the evictees could return to their residences on the corner of Leyds and Twist streets in the Joburg CBD.
Fikile Makafela, a tenant in Twist Street said, “We were told that one of the main reasons that the residents were able to return was because only one document was served to give notice to all the evictees that they were to be removed off the property.”
Marcus Ferguson, an organiser of the eviction, said the initial plan was to renovate and develop the building into low-cost housing that was well managed and in line with health regulations.
Ferguson 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.”
According to Ferguson, his company pulled out of the deal to renovate and develop the building as a result of the evictees returning, however, he has concerns about the health risks that the building poses to the residents and those of the surrounding buildings.
This is an ongoing story with updates to follow.
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