WHENEVER the department of human settlements needs to evict illegal occupants, they call on the Red Ants to get the job done.
But yesterday the tables were turned when the department’s furniture and equipment was tossed onto the back of big trucks.
A sheriff of the court came to seize the department’s assets after it was made known that it had failed to pay the Red Ants about R226 million over the past two years.
Staff members at the office in the Joburg CBD watched as computers, laptops, chairs, fridges and cars were seized.
“There is nothing left inside the office. Everything was taken. It’s going to take a lot for things to return to normal,” said one employee.
Human settlements spokesman Keith Khoza said they were in the process of paying the Red Ants when the court ordered the department’s assets be taken until the debt was settled.
Khoza said the Joburg High Court ordered the department to pay the relocation and eviction company for carrying out urgent evictions from government property.
“The department is aware they owe the company for their services.
“We have been paying them, but the Red Ants want us to pay everything we owe,” said Khoza.
He added that the department had approached Treasury to help them pay their debt so they could continue working.
“We are not happy with how the Red Ants have handled the matter.
“We told them we are willing to pay them, but they ignored us and seized our assets.”
He said department officials would talk to the company’s management to discuss possible solutions.
Red Ants CEO Fuzile Balintulo confirmed they approached the court after numerous promises to pay the debt were broken.
“We were left with no choice but to seek a court order to seize their assets.”
