The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Geoffery Makhubo, today visited Lawley in the South of Johannesburg.
The visit follows action by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department on 16 April 2020, wherein several incomplete and unoccupied illegal structures were demolished.
The visit by the Mayor follows several claims made, largely, via the media that some residents who had taken occupation of their structures were evicted and their structures demolished.
From information gathered, no verifiable case of eviction or demolition of an occupied structure has been confirmed. Several attempts have been made to reach some of the residents who specifically made these claims in the media to verify their claims without success. The department of Social Development in the City has been directed to do further work in tracing those families and in extending social support.
Should the claims be proved, those responsible for the action will be called to account.
“Whilst we were on site we also witnessed several persons actively engaged in invading land. Shockingly, amongst five persons arrested today, is a member of the South African National Defence Force in active service at the 21 South African Infantry Battalion.”
“We are also pleased to have met residents who confirmed that their structures were spared as they were in active occupation and residing at the said homes” said Mayor Makhubo.
The City has raised the substantial rise in land invasions with the Province and National governments and awaits direction on how to contain this trend during the lockdown period.
“Importantly, we are following leads that could result in the arrest of more persons involved in this illegal, manipulative and inhumane abuse of the suffering of the poor for material and financial gain.”
“As leaders in the City, we remain committed to providing shelter to the homeless as well as social and affordable housing as part of planned development including the rapid release of land to our people. We urge them to be vigilant and to abide by the law” concluded Mayor Makhubo.
END.
For Media Enquiries
Mlimandlela Ndamase
Director: Mayoral Communications
MlimandlelaN@joburg.org.za
083 480 0014
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