Police seize tent-dwellers’ belongings
CITY law enforcement officials and the police confiscated the belongings of residents of the Steenvilla social housing complex, who are living in front of the complex in Steenberg after being evicted from it almost two months ago.
Since their eviction the residents have put up plastic tents on a grass embankment alongside Military Road.
Shakierah Abrahams said the officials and the police arrived at the evictees’ homes at about 4am, “knocking and kicking” at the entrances of the homes.
“They pushed us and took our belongings, without explaining where they were taking them to. They manhandled us. I don’t even want to think about it. It makes me cry,” Abrahams said.
Nozuko Mzalazala said her belongings were seized.
“They forcefully came into my tent and took all my belongings, even the documents I had. I don’t have a clue where they were taken to,” she said.
Andile Nomqolo shouted in anger: “Where to from here? These people are torturing us. We are not violent, and we will never be violent.”
Beryl Schouw, an evictee who is chairperson of the Steenvilla group, went to the police station in Steenberg to lay charges against the officials and the police who took part in the raid.
Executive director of the city council’s safety and security department, Richard Bosman said: “The city laid a trespassing charge with the SAPS following the erection of structures on the pavement outside the Steenvilla complex in Military Road, Steenberg. Law enforcement also served notices to the group on July 9 in terms of the by-law relating to streets, public places and the prevention of noise nuisances, but these were disregarded.
“A joint operation therefore followed yesterday morning, where the SAPS was the lead agency,” he said.
Bosman said 15 structures were found to be unoccupied and were removed by the city’s law enforcement department.
All of the furniture and other goods found in the structures were removed and taken to the city council’s pound in Ndabeni for safekeeping. Bosman said no injuries were reported and no arrests were made.