THEY came in taxis to protest about the empty flats.
Yesterday, residents from Tshepisong, Snake Park and Dobsonville in Soweto told Daily Sun that they were tired of waiting for RDP houses.
“We have seen people being moved to houses that were promised to us. When we fight they shoot at us,” said Kgomotso Tsotetsi (57), chairman of Victory Tree, which was formed to discuss how they could get through to the government.
“Now we are taking what is ours. We are invading the newly built flats in Fleurhof.
“We are removing their locks and putting our own,” said Kgomotso.
“We are tired of living in shacks and back rooms. We want properties that belong to us. We have written to the member of the mayoral committee for housing to no avail,” he said.
Kgomotso said the bottom flats are for the elderly and people with disabilities.
“For the rest of the people we will follow the list of those who were always in the meetings,” he said.
Residents sang and ululated when the first door was opened with a screw driver. “The Lord has answered our prayers,” said Disebo Ntshanana (63).
The protesters said there will be war if anybody tries to evict them. Four blocks of flats with 128 empty units were taken over.
Joburg’s mayoral committee member for housing Dan Bovu said the flats belong to the City of Joburg.“They are for people who applied,” he said. Bovu added the protesting residents must apply like anybody else.
He said the city condemns the actions of the protesters.
