Racism in informal settlement raises concerns

A visit from the MMC of Housing Department Dan Bovu, has highlighted the racism that Kathrada Park residents are dealing with.

Residents started turning against each other after others made it clear that coloured people have moved into their houses.
Royston Swart says: “During apartheid we fought together but now that we won and have a black government, they are now turning on us.”

Buyi Nyide said: “Coloured people have decided to move into our houses.”

“We will have to come work with this community as I can see that there is racism in Kathrada,” says Bovu.

This is after last week Sunday when resident decided to place their shacks next to the RDP house foundation and JMPD officer set out to remove all illegal shacks but were stopped by residents.

The project started in 2004 but stopped and government has taken responsibility for the project not being completed.
Bovu says: “We as government have made a mistake and now we are trying to fix the mistake we made.”

The houses that were erected but not completed have been illegally invaded.

Those who have invaded the houses and decided to finish the RDP house out of their pockets.

Bovu warned that those who have invaded the houses, will be removed.

Swartz one of the residents that are occupying the houses said: “We were born in this area, why can’t we stay in these houses.
“We finished building these houses out of our own pockets, is government going to give that money back to us?”