Honeydew plot-dwellers evicted
Demolition tractors apparently stormed Plot 54, which is off Boundary Road near the Honeydew Police Station, and destroyed all the buildings which were occupied by the families
Several families were left without shelter on Wednesday, 4 July, after they were evicted from a plot in Honeydew.
It is said that demolition tractors stormed Plot 54, which is off Boundary Road near the Honeydew Police Station, and destroyed all the buildings which were occupied by the families.
An awestruck dweller, Hlanganani Ndebele, who could not believe his eyes when saw what used to be his home reduced to rubble, said he’d been renting at the plot for about three years and was not warned about the eviction.
“I’ve stayed here for three years, some families for 45 years, but only once have we been warned to vacate this place,” said Ndebele, who was trying to pick up what remained of the items that were buried under the rubble.
A very annoyed Mafinya discussed his plans to assist the displaced families. “What I will try by all means to do is find all the evictees and take a case on. I met with the Rural Development Department at the plot and they confirmed that they have arranged a lawyer to stand for them,” he said.
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Mafinya added that such an eviction is frustrating as the victims will flee to Zandspruit. “I will have to do a follow-up on this matter. I am worried about what’s going to happen because the evictees will obviously flee to Zandspruit, which will add to the population there,” he explained.
As it was, there was a rumour circulating that the evictees had already begun erecting their shacks on vacant land in Zandspruit.
Mafinya said the plot owner should have provided the people with alternative accommodation.
Although the eviction happened close to the Honeydew Police Station, their spokesperson, Captain Balan Muthan, said police could not get involved. “Police cannot be involved in an eviction. Police were there to observe and be on the lookout for criminal activity. This was a private or council matter involving the court,” he explained.
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