Steenvilla families get evicted
‘WE ARE ON OUR OWN, NOT EVEN THE WARD COUNCILLOR IS HELPING US’
STEENVILLA residents in shock after being evicted from their homes yesterday.
About 80 Red Ant security personnel, accompanied by other private security guards, evicted about 20 residents from the housing complex in Steenberg.
Community leader Beryl Schouw said it was painful to see her neighbours get evicted.
“What is more painful is to be evicted without knowing, our people are treated like rubbish in this complex,” said Schouw.
“We are on our own, not even the ward councillor is helping us.
“Last time I checked, we were told by the previous court rule that our people must be replaced back into their houses due to lack of evidence,” she said.
The housing complex is among the largest government-funded developments in Cape Town, with some 700 units.
Rentals are far below market value, but many residents are still unable to afford their monthly payments.
“Our rents at Steenvilla range from R1 000 to R3 150 a month,” said Schouw. Ramona September, who was evicted from her unit, said she felt violated by having strangers going into her house to remove her furniture without warning.
“We are being evicted in this complex every now and then,” said September
“These people do not care about us, they damage our furniture and don’t pay for it, but when we don’t have money to pay, they evict us.
“I don’t even know where to go now, these people took my furniture and everything in my house,” she said.