ALEXANDRA – Six shacks at the Organic Market informal settlement were demolished on Tuesday after officials noticed that they were not supposed to be there.
Thabang Kuaho
Six shacks at the Organic Market informal settlement in Ward 81 were demolished by the Department of Housing on 10 October.
According to Ward 76 and 81 area manager, Millicent Thamae, the shacks were built illegally and were not supposed to have been built in the first place.
“According to our records, only 411 shacks were supposed to be there and we found that there were an extra six shacks, [so] we had to demolish them,” Thamae said.
Johannesburg Metro police demolish an illegal shack at the Organic Market informal settlement. Photo: Supplied
She said enough notice had been given to the owners of the shacks before demolishing them.
She added it interfered with the City’s plans to provide electricity to residents of the informal settlement. “Together with City Power and the Johannesburg Roads Agency, we are planning to form a proper environment where everyone can live peacefully, [but] if shacks are being built anywhere it would be impossible for us to improve the living conditions of residents.”
The aftermath of the demolition of six illegal shacks at the Organic Market informal settlement. Photo: Supplied
Speaking to Alex News, chairperson of the Organic Market committee, Morris Baloyi said there was nobody living in those shacks. “We have not seen anyone going in and out of the shacks. We believe that the owners were trying to sell them [the shacks] to people who need accommodation,” he said.
When asked whether he suspects the shacks were used for any illegal dealings, Baloyi said he did not believe so. “I cannot say for sure if they were being used for illegal dealings because nobody uses those shacks, we haven’t even seen anyone going in and out of them”
Metro police survey the area after demolishing six illegal shacks.
He applauded the department for making sure that the area was safe for everyone to live in. “Without them, this place would have been a mess, they always make sure that the living conditions of the people are improved.
