City to evict Marlboro sports centre dwellers

However, it was reported that on 23 March the City of Joburg would evict the community members who are using the stadium as temporary place of residence. It is not clear where the residents would go if the evictions go ahead.

Sandton Chronicle will update when action is taken.

11 March, 9.30am:

This follows the use of the centre as temporary accommodation for displaced residents from the neighbouring township of Alexandra.

Community members are frustrated as they say no one informed them of the situation and, despite assurance from authorities that the matter would be resolved, no action has been taken a month later.

A community leader, wishing to remain anonymous, questioned the use of the centre as accommodation, saying that this has rendered it unusable by the community.

“Since these people have moved in at the centre, [we] have been denied access to the centre and are continually being harassed,” the resident said.

He also questioned why it was taking such a long time to come up with a viable solution and highlighted the health and safety hazards of having that many people housed in a small space.

Meanwhile, members currently being accommodated at the centre have a completely different story to tell about their dire situation.

These residents, calling themselves the affected community of Alexandra, were involved in the ongoing Botlhabela Extension flats saga, as reported by Alex News week ending 11 September 2014 and explained that their plea was simply a solution to their housing issues.

According to reports, these people had been evicted following their illegal occupation of the flats for four months and, after being temporarily displaced, were finally placed at the centre.

“We were brought to the centre following an agreement with the MMC of Housing’s office and were told it would be a temporary place to stay until a solution was found,” one resident said.

The residents added that after a week, the Metro police were allegedly sent to remove them and it was only with the obtaining of a letter from the City and MMC’s office, also in the possession of the Sandton Chronicle, that the removal was halted.

The residents also said they did not want to cause trouble for the community and their grievance is not with them, but rather with the department.

“We want residents to know that we are not a bunch of hooligans and they should take the time to sit down with us and talk to us,” they said.

“We also hope the department will come and talk to us because we don’t like staying here; this place is not fit for habitation as we are now forced to share one kitchen, three rooms and two toilets between 72 of us.”

As of yet, the City has not responded to e-mails sent by this paper.

Also read: Councillor responds to Marlboro centre saga

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