Some community members have called for alleged property hijacking kingpin Jonathan Constable to be released from custody.
“We want Jonathan Constable,” demanded Forest Hill residents while standing outside a torched house on the corner of Schuller and High streets.
The tenants, who were left homeless after the property they were living in went up in flames on March 7, claimed that the City of Johannesburg and ward councillors had done nothing to halt unlawful evictions and rid the area of property hijackers.
They said the situation had gone from bad to worse since the arrest of Constable, a member of the National Immigrants Council of South Africa (NICSA).
Mapaseka Ruiters, who lost her home in a fire, said she had lived in the house since 2007. She claimed the “Nigerians” in charge of collecting rent were forcing them to vacate the premises in less than five days.
She claimed some of the tenants had lived there all their lives.
Two other homeless former tenants, Dineo Mohale and Dimakatso Mosoka, agreed that the property owners’ actions were “irrational”.
Evictions seem to have gained momentum in the South, with two others taking place in the Turffontein area.
Constable, who was arrested on a count of property hijacking, is now facing fraud charges in a long-running bail hearing.
He and co-accused Bongani Kathide were arrested on December 28.
Constable, who maintains his innocence, questioned the State’s case as they could not provide evidence of any fraud. He said the NICSA protected tenants against unlawful treatment.
The two bail hearings were set to continue on Monday, March 12.
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