LENASIA, South Africa: South African government bulldozers moved in yesterday to demolish homes built on illegally sold plots of land, sparking anger and protests from distraught residents.
“We are implementing a court order,” said Motsamai Motlhaolwa, a spokesman for the department of local government, as bulldozers razed at least 37 homes in a town near Johannesburg and police dispersed protests. “We are evicting people from a land that belongs to the department but which was sold illegally to the people of Lenasia,” he said.
The authorities moved in after an investigation showed the plots had been sold illegally for amounts from 2,500 rand ($288, ¤225) to 95,000 rand. Fraudsters appear to have sold several plots with fake deeds bearing the housing department’s logo. The demolitions began Thursday, prompting residents to burn tyres and block roads in protest. Johannesburg metro police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said around 200 people were involved in the disturbances, which were not violent but which left large rocks strewn across the road, blocking traffic. Yesterday some residents were forced to look on in tears after trying in vain to block the bulldozers. One woman climbed on the blade of a machine as it advanced on her one-storey concrete structure, but was later left to be consoled by neighbours.
Many more residents appeared to be out at work as the engines restarted, rendering them unable to present title deeds or lodge any protest. “My neighbour, she bought this land in 2002, it’s her land, she bought it legally because it was on auction,” said Rebecca Muthivhi amid the rubble. “Today they come and demolish our wall. They say after that, they say it’s a mistake, when she showed them all the legal documents.” Far from being shacks, many of the buildings were made of bricks and mortar, with fitted windows and doors. “I was even scared when these tractors they come and stand near my gate,” said Muthivhi. AFP
