Illegal occupants who took over homes that were earmarked for the elderly and the disabled were removed from these homes last week. The South African Police Services and eThekwini Municipality evicted a group of illegal occupants from the newly built Emona Sunhill Housing project in Ward 61 in uThongathi.
The eviction is followed by an invasion that took place on February 18, last year, said eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana.
“In July, the municipality took the matter to court because invaders claimed that the land where the houses are built belongs to them. There were 24 houses invaded. In March this year a court order was granted in favour of the municipality and eviction commenced on Wednesday (August 2),” said Ms Sisilana.
She added that the legitimate beneficiaries of the housing development include the elderly and the disabled. They should have already been living in the completed homes, but it could not be due to the selfish actions of the invaders, said Ms Sisilana.
“The housing project, located in Ward 61 in uThongathi, is a greenfield and partially in-situ housing development meant to benefit hundreds of beneficiaries from the Staram, Firehouse, Kwabhontsisi and Enqabeni informal settlements,” said Ms Sisilana.
“The invaders forced the city’s hand when they not only stopped the handover of the houses to their rightful owners, but intimidated and threatened City Human Settlements officials and the beneficiaries with guns during a second attempted handover.”
The city presented the matter to the courts and an order to evict the illegal occupants was granted, she said. The city then directed law enforcement agencies and the police unit to act swiftly to protect the assets of the city and citizens, as well as prevent any further incidents of illegal occupation.
Ms Sisilana said the city would not succumb to intimidation in its quest to provide decent housing and eradicate poverty for the residents.
“This is one of our largest housing developments, set to accommodate over 1000 beneficiaries at 250 sites. To date the first phase of the project has been completed, 242 units have been completed and 233 have already been handed over to the rightful beneficiaries,” said Ms Sisilana.
