Evicitios standoff at Steenvillas
Tenants accuse police of using unwarranted excessive force
RESIDENTS in Steenvilla once again disrupted plans to have a number of them evicted. The Steenvilla development was completed by, private non-profit company, Sohco in 2010 and numerous attempts to have residents not paying rent evicted, have so far proven unsuccessful.
Sohco chief executive Heather Maxwell said a number of evictions were scheduled for yesterday as tenants owed a year’s rent.
“During the last year, all attempts to resolve the situation and avoid eviction proceedings have been unsuccessful. In response to a disturbance on site two weeks ago, when these evictions were initially scheduled, the evictions were rescheduled for today.
“Three households were evicted this morning and another 19 evictions are pending.”
She said during March last year a small group of tenants stopped paying rent and, after attempts to resolve the situation, Sohco initiated eviction proceedings in court. Eviction orders were granted in March and May. Residents said they will continue to fight the evictions and refuse to leave as they have nowhere to go.
Sharon Davids said she did not understand why excessive force was used by police when evicting people.
“They came for a pensioner and we went there… tactical police pushed us and shot tear gas just to get into her house and remove her things forcefully. The sad thing is this is our own people. This is affordable housing for the poor. I am saying I cannot afford it here, where is the City of Cape Town?”
Ethelina Ngozi fought to keep her belongings from being taken and said she was unclear why she was being evicted.
“I told them I pay rent but they don’t care about that. They broke my window because they wanted me out. It is not nice how they abuse and harass us like this.”
Ngozi said her biggest concern was where she would go if they had to be evicted.
A heavy police presence remained near the area to maintain law and order as residents damaged property and set rubbish alight at the entrance of the development.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: “Action had been taken to disperse the crowd. Members will stay in the area to monitor the situation.”