SAPA

Residents of the Bapsfontein informal settlement, east of Johannesburg, block the entrance to the settlement to avoid being relocated due to dolomite instability in the area. Photo: Werner Beukes

The relocation of Bapsfontein families has been suspended due to wet weather.

Ekurhuleni Municipality spokesman Zweli Dlamini said on Wednesday the city was instead using the time to prepare the Benoni site ahead of the relocation.

He said: “Because of the rain, we decided to move backwards. We suspended the relocation for today and are now building about 150 new shacks and preparing the site for people to move in.”

The relocation would continue on Thursday.

Of the 3180 families meant to be relocated, only 80 were moved on Tuesday.

“We have 3100 more.”

The area was “calm” on Wednesday morning and no violence or protests were reported.

On Tuesday about 500 angry community members protested against the move.

Some blockaded roads with rubbish and burning tyres while others threw stones at police.

Dlamini said 28 people were arrested for public violence.

The Bapsfontein informal settlement was declared a local state of disaster which was not safe for human settlement due to dolomite instability.

The relocation process was expected to run until mid-January and the families were first being moved to various temporary relocation points.

They would stay in temporary accommodation at N12 Highway Park, in the area between Putfontein Road on the western side, Benoni Road on the east, N12 on the south and Chief Albert Luthuli Extension three on the northern side.

Dolomite is soluble and over time dissolves, posing a danger to people living on dolomitic land where cave-ins known as sink holes eventually occur. - Sapa