WATCH: Ward 125 residents refuse relocation of displaced people
The sudden emergence of an informal settlement on Swartkoppies site sparked disapproval from residents
An urgent meeting was called on the evening of October 4 with the residents of Ward 125 and surrounding areas at the Kibler Park Recreation Centre.
The agenda of the meeting was to bring to the community’s attention the sudden emergence of an informal settlement in Swartkoppies and to formulate a plan of action.
It is alleged that the City of Johannesburg (COJ)was handed a court order to find temporary emergency accommodation for the people who previously occupied the current burnt building in Delvers Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
According to the MMC for Human Settlements, Anthea Leitch, the high court named a location listed as portion 18 of Platlynn to which the occupants would be taken. This land was submitted to the court by the Joburg Property Company.
During the meeting community members voiced their concerns about their safety as they do not know the history of these occupants and the strain the squatter camp will have on the infrastructure and basic services such as water and electricity.
The Department of Human Settlements director stated: “Because the burnt building in Marshalltown is condemned, COJ has been instructed to find a safe place for the people and has chosen this specific land. However, the MMC of Human Settlement has not sanctioned this.”
MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene on the emergence of informal settlement on Swartkoppies site… pic.twitter.com/NMKiIf9v9c
— Southern Courier SA (@courier_sa) October 5, 2023
The MMC released a statement on October 5, clarifying to the residents in and around this area that Leitch and the officials from COJ are still processing the court order and no displaced people should be moved to Kibler Park or elsewhere in Ward 125 or 123.
She respects the court and the solution, within the bounds of the law, is being explored.
The Department of Human Settlements ‘MMC remains committed to pursuing an integrated solution to the problem of dangerous and hijacked buildings throughout the city, but in such a way that no communities in other areas are left feeling compromised.
The residents of Ward 125 and surrounding areas have taken a decision to pursue legal measures by appealing the court order and embarked on a protest at the site to prevent the emergence of the squatter camp as a plan of action. The residents barricaded Swartkoppies on both sides of the road.
During the protest on October 5, councillor Matsobane Sekhu said: “The residents have embarked on this peaceful protest or sit-in to blockade the road as a plan of action to prevent the relocation of the people from Delvers Street. I am awaiting feedback from officials to directly explain to the residents that the displaced people will no longer be relocating to the land.
Swartkoppies Road closed due to protest action pic.twitter.com/qqgYBKirJR
— Southern Courier SA (@courier_sa) October 5, 2023
”According to my observation, the community is not willing to call a halt to the protest until COJ officials address them.”
On October 5, MMC Kenny Kunene visited the protest site to reassure residents that the displaced people would not be moved onto the earmarked land that the situation could have been handled better and that the community should have been consulted.
