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50 RDP houses hijacked

GOING NOWHERE: Lidia Veldman is one of alleged illegal occupants of Eden Park Extension 5 . 05/11/08. Pic. Antonio Muchave. © Sowetan.
GOING NOWHERE: Lidia Veldman is one of alleged illegal occupants of Eden Park Extension 5 . 05/11/08. Pic. Antonio Muchave. © Sowetan.

Zinhle Mapumulo

Zinhle Mapumulo

Residents of Edenpark, in Ekurhulening, say frustration with poor service delivery has forced them to hijack newly-built RDP houses in the area.

The angry residents have taken over at least 50 houses in the past three weeks.

They have vowed to occupy more houses illegally if the Ekurhuleni Metro council continues to ignore their cries.

Romano Lottering, a member of the disgruntled Eden Park community, said they would not vacate the houses despite the order by the council.

"We are prepared to fight to death if it means getting the proper accommodation that we deserve. We are tired of waiting and we now demand action from them," said Lottering.

But Mayor Ntombi Mekgwe said nobody had a right to take over a house unless it was allocated to them.

"Only people who are on the waiting list and do qualify will get the houses, so the others must move out," she said.

Lottering said: "In the last few years, RDP houses have been built in Eden Park and not once was a resident of this area allocated a house."

He said when the other phases were completed the council brought people from other areas to occupy the houses.

"We are sick and tired of this and as residents in this area we should be given first priority whenever there is development."

The disgruntled Eden Park community held a meeting yesterday to discuss a way forward following the hijacking.

Another resident, Mina Booysen, also said though the council had instructed residents who had occupied the houses illegally to immediately vacate them, they would stay put.

She said the council should have listened the grievances of the residents before ordering them to move out.

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