This follows after residents in that informal settlement, located next to a waste dump between Phase 5 and 6, were allegedly forcibly removed by law enforcement on Wednesday. 

Local EFF councillor, Paulnita Marais, says the people whose erected shacks were removed are angry, because other people from a neighbouring area were given permission to live there, but they are not allowed. 

Marais says the confusion over land sites has been worsened by the tense relationship between the previous councillor and the current councillor.

She goes on to say that people are so desperate for a place to live, they are currently occupying a dumping site.

“This place used to be a place where dirt was put a long time ago.  People are now staying in between the dirt because they can’t get sites.” says Marais

Community members described how law enforcement allegedly removed the shacks without even notifying the occupants of those shacks. 

One woman felt that the way in which the people were removed was cruel, she describes how she was ploughing the area she had chosen for herself, when law enforcement used what she described as excessive force to get past residents, demolishing some half and fully erected shacks. 

The community members further allege that they have been given notice to have their belongings removed by Monday. 

Meanwhile, the current councillor, Hoes Ramabodu, has planned a meeting with community members for tomorrow.

Pulane Choane/Olebogeng Motse