Living in limbo

“We aren’t going anywhere.”

That’s the resolution of residents living in the building that formerly housed the Sunset Lodge and later One Stop Retirement Village in Doonheights’ Umfuleni Road.

The residents were speaking in reaction to rumours and threats of eviction from the ex-Salvation Army building in November.

The 32 remaining residents, made up of eight pensioners and nine children, many of whom are unemployed, said they received notice on 28 November to move out of the building by 31 December.

“With only one month’s notice, where were we going to go?,” said one resident, Elzette Nel, who confirmed they have since been intimidated, received threats and a court order to vacate the premises.

However, another resident Sharon van Biljon said the court order was illegal. Some of the residents contacted the Organisation of Civic Rights (OCR) in Durban.

“The situation of the old and poor occupiers facing threats of ‘evictions’ while they have nowhere to go, is becoming a reality in our country,” said OCR chairman, Dr Iqbal Mohamed.

“The plight of these occupiers at the (ex) Salvation Army (building) provides a glimpse of the hardships the poor, old and frail have to endure.

We believe that the Salvation Army needs to work with the occupiers to find an amicable solution, instead of resorting to fear and intimidation tactics.

The occupiers were subtenants, some having rendered basic cleaning services to the principal tenant in return for accommodation.

The occupants were told if they failed to move out on Sunday (15 January), there would be no water and electricity.

There appears to be no ejectment order or any court process pending.
The Salvation Army refused to accept rentals, hoping to absolve themselves of any responsibility.

The reality is that the Salvation Army will turn the old, frail and destitute people onto the streets. I felt utter despondency when I met with the occupiers. In December, we prevented a possible lock-out.”

Four households have no income and the monthly income for the other households is below R5,000.

The majority of the households rely on food parcels they receive from the church. “All of the households surveyed stated they were willing to pay rental after the main tenant, One Stop Retirement Village left at the end of November 2016, but the Salvation Army refused.

They are unable to relocate because of affordability and relocation costs,” said Dr Mohamed.

When contacted for clarification on why the tenants were being evicted, Salvation Army spokesman, Caron Holmes would not comment other than to say the building had been sold.

It could not be established who had purchased the building, however the property is still registered as a property owned by the Salvation Army at the deeds office.