A battle is brewing between residents of two neighbouring informal settlements in Sebokeng, in the Vaal.
The rival groups are residents of Boiketlong informal settlement and Lethabong informal settlement.
The bone of contention is a multimillion-rand housing project.
Residents of Boiketlong have accused Lethabong residents of planning to jump the queue, in order to benefit from the mega-housing project.
About 14 000 mixed housing units are expected to be completed in the area.
Dozens of houses, which are part of the project's Phase 1, have been completed.
The completion sparked tensions, led by Boiketlong residents, who claim they have been residing in the area for over two decades.
They allege that Lethabong residents have illegally occupied land situated a stone's throw from the project.
Boiketlong is situated less than a kilometre from the project.
Residents of Lethabong occupied a vacant area in 2017 before the project started.
Boiketlong community leader, Maria Motswatswa, claims their neighbours want to be the first beneficiaries of the project.
"They arrived in 2017, before the project could start. They erected shacks on a piece of land that is close to the housing project. Those RDP houses are meant for us, residents of Boiketlong," said Motswatswa.
Motswatswa has been residing in Boiketlong for the past 12 years and expects to benefit from the project.
"As Boiketlong residents, we must be prioritised before others. Lethabong and other Vaal residents will receive the remaining houses after we have benefitted. Should they attempt to invade those houses before we benefit, they will meet with us.
"We have been patient with them for too long. We allowed them to invade a piece of land near the project, hoping they will behave. If they dare invade those new houses before us, there will be war. We are willing to die for this project," Motswatswa said.
Motswatswa called on the government to intervene before it is too late.
"Government must allocate them a piece of land somewhere, not near our area. If the government does not move them away from here, we will see what to do with them. They must move as soon as possible. If they tamper with the progress of this project, they will make us mad," Motswatswa said.
Lethabong community leader, Jonas Masike, said they will not budge.
Masike said they occupied a piece of land in March 2017 and erected shacks two months later.
"We have been informed that part of the land we have occupied is demarcated for the project. As people who were homeless, we identified this piece of land and occupied it. Government is aware of our presence. The majority of us here have applied for RDP houses, which make us beneficiaries of government houses.
"We are aware that people of Boiketlong don't want us here. We are not going anywhere. We were not brought here by Boiketlong people. They don't know where we came from and how we occupied this land," Masike said.
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Masike added that some Lethabong residents want to build their own houses in their stands.
"Those who can't afford to build are awaiting to benefit from the RDP houses. We are not going to prevent anyone from benefitting from the project. We are not fighting with our neighbours. If our neighbours want to fight with us, the law will apply. Our intention is not to occupy those houses illegally.
"We want to stay here in peace, and those who qualify for RDP houses should benefit. We are not going to explain ourselves to Boiketlong residents," said Masike.
The Gauteng human settlements department is yet to comment on the matter.
News24
