City tears down Illegally built shacks

RESIDENTS left homeless after a fire tore through the Masiphumelele informal settlement last month have yet again found themselves destitute.

Last month, two people died and about 4 000 people were left homeless after a fire destroyed more than 800 homes in Masiphumelele.

About 1 000 of those displaced were children.

At the weekend, families started to rebuild their homes illegally, according to the city council, and yesterday had their newly-rebuilt homes torn down.

The city council’s anti-land invasion unit removed 178 illegal structures and 1 600 pegs yesterday afternoon.

Residents reacted and police used stun grenades to disperse a growing crowd.

Mayoral committee member for human settlements Benedicta van Minnen said those who had erected structures on the land were “backyarder opportunists”.

“Backyarder opportunists from the area who were not affected by the fire, as well as boarders of fire victims, have been erecting structures illegally and illegally pegging off land.”

She said meetings were held with residents advising them against illegally built structures.

“However, the situation remained unchanged and subsequently notices were issued to a number of the individuals.”

Masiphumelele resident and community leader, Tshepo Moletsane, said they had not been given the necessary 48-hour notice and that land invasion units simply “came this morning without notice”.

“On Thursday we will be marching to the sub-council offices where we will call on our councillor to give us alternative land, because now all we see is her running away from her responsibilities.”

Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said one person had been arrested for public violence, and police remained in the area to monitor the situation.