Row erupts as District Six homes rented

MORE than 40 years after being bulldozed from their homes by the apartheid regime, former District Six residents now want the government to remove foreign nationals who are renting houses allocated to land claimants.

Hundreds of displaced residents launched claims with the government as far back as 1995. About 134 units had been built, Michael Worsnip, chief director of restitution support for the Land Claims Commission, said.

More homes are in the pipeline and some claimants opted for payouts.

But Tania Kleinhans-Cedras, a resident and chief of the Cochoqua clan, said there were those who received homes on the prime property, but were letting the units for as much as R7 500 a month to foreigners, including Turks and Congolese.

“There are even apartments that have been empty for two years while there are thousands of people being deprived from coming back.”

She said District Six should be reserved for the original claimants.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said her elderly mother had been on the waiting list for years. She felt it unfair that those who were wealthy got homes before the poor.

Faried Gamieldien’s father lodged his claim for a house in 1995, but died shortly thereafter. He is now continuing with the restitution process. But at the age of 60 he doubts progress will be made and has bequeathed the home to his son in his will.

Residents held a meeting last night and will lodge a petition to parliament. Many claimants are frustrated at how slowly claims are processed.