DA inherits chaos
Allegations of a ‘Third Force’ intent on destabilising Pretoria have emerged after the illegal occupation of newly-built houses and subsequent evictions of people in Mamelodi, Nellmapius and Mabopane.
A“third force” intent on creating instability in the Pretoria area is allegedly behind the illegal occupation of newly built houses and the subsequent evictions of people in Mamelodi, Nellmapius and Mabopane.
A source told The Citizen that yesterday’s forced removal of residents in Extension 4 in Mamelodi/ Nellmapius was orchestrated by this “third force”.
It is allegedly an attempt to make Pretoria ungovernable by first making people believe they have new houses and land, and then taking it away from them.
The Citizen witnessed the police and members of the Red Ants kicking and beating unarmed residents during the removals.
Police shouted at photographers to “voetsek” when they tried to take pictures. They also fired rubber bullets at a small group of residents and a journalist who was busy with interviews, scattering them.
One of the people being interviewed was Sammy Ndou whose head was bleeding after the attack. Another person was shot in the arm.
As the violence escalated yesterday, an urgent meeting was held between newly appointed executive mayor Solly Msimanga and his team to discuss issues surrounding the illegal occupations and the removals of residents in Mamelodi. While they were in the meeting, another eviction was taking place in Mabopane, north of Pretoria.
The source said “a private meeting” was held hours after Msimanga and council members were sworn in last Friday. Soon after this alleged meeting, residents in Mamelodi got word that they could move into the new houses. They were handed keys and started moving in on the same day.
Most of the residents wrote their names on the walls of the houses to indicate who was occupying them.
According to the source, on the same night an order was given by a former member of the office of the MEC of safety and security to remove these people and make them believe Msimanga gave the order for it.
Caroline Rokoma, 44, said they heard by word of mouth on Friday that they could move in. “I have been waiting for a house since 1996, while people who had applied in 2000 are already in houses. I blame the ANC and that is why I voted for the EFF,” she said.
Youth community leader Dumisani Zulu told reporters they were ANC members and that they had got keys to enter the houses and occupy them. He added: “This is ANC land and we should be the occupants of these houses.”
He said the houses were built under the governance of the ANC and those who voted for the ANC must have first rights.
A resident, Donald Mazimbuku, said: “We need Mayor Msi- manga to come and address us. The Reds Ants and the police are fighting with us. We will fight back and it will be harsh. We voted for the DA, I voted for them. They must deliver now,” he said.
Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said the police would only comment if cases were brought against officers. – news@citizen.co.za