City of Johannesburg must explain alleged illegal eviction in Kanana

On Friday afternoon, I visited the site of alleged illegal evictions in Kanana Ext 3, which adjoins Orange Farm in the City of Johannesburg. I was joined by DA councillors Vasco da Gama and John Mendelsohn. 

This community has already opened a criminal case at the De Deur police station against the city housing officials and ward committee members who are alleged to be selling these RDP houses illegally.

On Thursday 11th July, 2013, the Red Ants and the JMPD evicted at least 36 people and their families from the RDP houses in this area.

The Red Ants and JMPD were challenged to produce an order of court in compliance with the Prevention of Illegal Evictions Act. However, in the Writ of Execution produced, the Plaintiff is not the City of Johannesburg and the persons who were evicted are not the named Respondents. The property from which the respondents were to be evicted is not Kanana Ext. 3. The DA has seen this Writ of Execution and can account for its contents.

Therefore, it appears that this community has been illegally evicted by the City.

Mayor Parks Tau and Housing MMC, Dan Bovu, must immediately explain how this was allowed to happen. It is unacceptable that 36 families are now living on the street in the middle of winter because of this alleged unlawful action. The DA will continue to communicate with the community and help them get to the bottom of this incident.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA Leader in Johannesburg, July 14 2013

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