Four families destitute after residents target 'brothels'

Albert Mwenza, his wife and one-year-old son slept in the streets for the second night yesterday after the house they lived in was set alight by angry residents.

Residents of Rosettenville, Johannesburg, went on a rampage on Saturday, burning 10 houses they allege belong to Nigerians running drug dens and brothels.

The Mwenzas and three other families living in the house watched helplessly as their belongings were gutted. The couple, from Malawi, are now destitute.

Mwenza said he was asleep just after 2pm when a group of men came into the house on Lawn Street. "They said they had come to give me a warning," said Mwenza.

"When a larger group came back, I was told to leave, but I refused. I was then forced out. Some of the people jumped over the wall into the house and stole our belongings.

"They then threw petrol bombs. Everything else that was left inside was burnt to ashes. I am sad because we are innocent and have nothing to do with drugs and brothels," said Mwenza who has a motor mechanic workshop in the area.

Another Malawian living in the house said he was at work when the commotion started. Yufusu Alie, 32, shared the bedroom with his wife and four young children. He sews school uniforms for a living.

"There was R24000 in the house which I was supposed to send home. I do not know what my family and I are going to do. We have not eaten since yesterday and the clothes we are wearing are the only clothes we have left," Alie said.

City of Joburg MMC for safety Michael Sun said the SAPS would investigate the incident.

mashabas@sowetan.co.za