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THIS IS OUR PLACE: Residents of an informal settlement in Marlboro, near Alexandra, after their shacks were destroyed by the JMPD. PHOTOS: SIBUSISO MSIBI

THIS IS OUR PLACE: Residents of an informal settlement in Marlboro, near Alexandra, after their shacks were destroyed by the JMPD. PHOTOS: SIBUSISO MSIBI

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The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) raided the shack land in Marlboro at about 3.30am and threw out an estimated 80 families - whom they claimed were trespassers - on to the streets.

The operation led to violent clashes that resulted in two squatters sustaining gunshot wounds, while a JMPD vehicle was set alight.

The squatters said chaos erupted after metro police officers, armed with crowbars, ordered them out of their shacks. The squatters refused to move because they said their eviction was illegal.

Squatter leader Michel Ndou said that some of the people had lived in the area for more than 11 years. He claimed they were given the go-ahead to return to the area by the Bramley police.

But the JMPD's Wayne Minnaar denied that the families had lived in the land for a long time. He warned them of follow-up eviction operations.

"We do not need an eviction order because these people occupied council land illegally. That amounts to trespassing. We will continue evicting them," he said.

Comments

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Sun May 26 05:57:54 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 28, 2012

tpaz

Land reform on its way......they should build shacks across the N1 ....near Sandton
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Jun 28, 2012

hulas

Dont move until anc government provide you with free electrified houses with running water.
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Jun 28, 2012

MommaC

They can build a shack within hours of it being broken down but the lazy sods can't put a wall around a toilet
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Jun 28, 2012

Papage

Government should be giving them Building materials, bricks, cement not re-building shacks
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Jun 28, 2012

Shredder

I hate shacks. They are good agents for rat breeding and are not safe.
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Jun 28, 2012

CheeseBoy

We've all seen this before.

Come rainy season these shacks are going to be washed away. Its going to be a national disaster and they would be moved up the queue for free RDP houses due to media pressure public outcry.

These lazy buggers are not as stupid as you think.

@Papage, I agree, they must get cement and build for themselves
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Jun 28, 2012

Dzel

MommaC
They can build a shack within hours of it being broken down but the lazy sods can't put a wall around a toilet
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They shouldn't have to build walls around toilets. This is the future of social housing as suggested by a party that shall remain nameless for the purpose of this discussion.

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Jun 28, 2012

Shredder

tpaz - Land reform on its way......they should build shacks across the N1 ....near Sandton
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I think you meant Moreleta Park, hahahahaha.

Actually, I really think they should build multiple storeys of RDP like flats. There are many people who are taking away from the needy living in the RDPs. All they want are stands, then the next thing they erect mansions on those stands, basically spiting at the faces of their poor neighbors. If they could build multiple storey flats (RDPs), those hyenas will buy houses like the rest of us and pay their bonds.
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Jun 28, 2012

MissBhakajuju

squatters must just follow the rules, we can't have shacks all over s.a......

and some of them are working & cannot afford to build a 2 room house, but are willing to spend more than K1 on liqour.

its also unfair to the government, when people only want to live on hand outs.
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Jun 28, 2012

MommaC

Dzel

So it is better (in your opinion) for a person to share a buletproof toilet with 50 or 60 other people rather than have their own toilet and contribute to the project?
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