Lenasia demolitions: Putting the record straight

14 Nov 2012

The Department of Local Government and Housing wishes to put it on record that all the properties which were demolished during the first phase of the operation last week were all unoccupied. The objective of the first phase of the operation was to target all the unoccupied properties as well as vacant stands with perimeter walls for demolitions.

On the day of the operation our officials, working on site with the police, also ensured that all the properties were not occupied before the demolitions were carried out. "We are satisfied that the demolitions were as humane as possible by making sure that families were not directly affected by the operation," said MEC for Local Government and Housing Ntombi Mekgwe.

The department has already issued notices to all the occupied houses and demolitions were planned to be carried out as part of the phase two of the demolition process.

The department is therefore dismayed by some individuals who came to the scene on hearing about our operation claiming that they were displaced as a result of the operation. "We are aware that some individuals who had paraded themselves before the media were not living in the structures that were demolished. We also noted that some journalists and other people who went to site later were taking their stories without carefully verifying the facts".

The department has already indicated that there is no need to provide alternative shelter as the properties were not occupied. The court order, also, did not compel the department to provide alternative accommodation given the financial status of the illegal occupants.

The department is currently awaiting the outcome of the court process following an urgent court application by the Human Rights Commission on Monday to stop the demolitions.  All the planned demolitions will be suspended in respect of the unfolding legal process.

The department is also engaging a number of stakeholders on the matter including civic organisations, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO's), religious movements, political parties and other interested parties and will remain open to all the recommendations being brought forward.

The department also wishes to dismiss some media reports claiming that the court process instituted by the Human Rights Commission was postponed due to the Department's failure to file the affidavits on time. The department has filed the required affidavits timely and in accordance with the court processes.

Statement issued by Motsamai Motlhaolwa, Gauteng Local Government and Housing, November 14 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter