Lenasia’s illegal builders warned since 2006

017 12.11.2012 On Monday residents blockaded a road leading into Lenasia with rocks and burning tyres, protesting against the demolitions. And today residents of extension 13 clears the road after their community leader has asked them to open road for their leaders to come and address them. Picture: Sharon Seretlo

017 12.11.2012 On Monday residents blockaded a road leading into Lenasia with rocks and burning tyres, protesting against the demolitions. And today residents of extension 13 clears the road after their community leader has asked them to open road for their leaders to come and address them. Picture: Sharon Seretlo

Published Nov 13, 2012

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Johannesburg - Land invaders in Lenasia, Ennerdale and Lawley have been aware since 2006 that their tenure was illegal, yet they continued building their houses.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, speaking at a media conference on Monday, said a report conducted by George Fivaz was submitted to the Housing Department as early as 2006. This followed disclosure that land was being sold illegally in Lenasia, Ennerdale and Lawley.

It was found that 678 stands were occupied illegally in Lenasia and 1 000 in Ennerdale and Lawley. A forensic investigation’s results were submitted for consideration in early 2010.

It was found that land was being sold illegally and that documents such as title deeds and deeds of sale were fraudulent. “Subsequently, there were numerous interventions, where residents had the opportunity to either move out, or co-operate with the department by assisting to uncover the fraud and to submit papers proving they were entitled to be on the land, but never did,” said Mokonyane.

“We exhausted the legal process, and that is why it took so long for us to act. We wanted to ensure that everything was done legally and that the illegal occupants had time to move out,” she said.

In the meantime, residents continued building, despite being warned not to. The figures are rising on a monthly basis as construction continues, despite action by the department to make it stop.

The invaders built proper houses and connected their services to the existing water and electricity infrastructure that was being paid for by their neighbours. Their services were regularly cut off but were reconnected illegally.

Ten cases were investigated by the Hawks, seven suspects were arrested – five are on trial – and two cases were withdrawn pending further investigations.

The invasions, said the premier, had been by people who have means and are not poor.

“They are therefore depriving poor people who have been waiting for homes for years. They have money to buy the land and build big houses in some cases. They obtained loans from banks to build on land earmarked for the poor. Therefore, we are acting on behalf of the poor,” she said, adding that people in this income group had other housing opportunities.

The court order confirmed the province’s position that it would not tolerate land invasions from any sector of society, regardless of the economic status of the people.

“We advise communities to take a lesson from this and be aware there are fraudsters posing as department agents and selling land at cheap prices,” Mokonyane said.

The department is spending between R200 and R8 000 a month for every illegally acquired stand, excluding illegal connections for water and electricity amounting to R300 000 a year – money that could be spent on housing for the poor, she added.

Several groups have come out in support of the Lenasia residents.

The ANC Women’s League condemned the flattening of houses, “in the strongest possible terms. This destruction of people’s homes cannot be justified in a humane society,” said ANCWL president Angie Motshekga.

The league said it believed that despite the legal processes undertaken, a more humane solution needed to be found.

Reducing people’s homes to rubble and leaving families homeless was cruel, said Motshekga.

The IFP in Gauteng has joined other parties in calling for an end to the demolition of houses in Lenasia.

“The party believes that the situation can be better resolved without any further destruction of homes,” said the IFP caucus leader in Gauteng, Bonginkosi Dlamini.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

* September 2010 – interim court order prohibiting the housing department from demolishing illegal structures in Lenasia ext 13, Lenasia South ext 4 and Ennerdale. Illegal occupants also interdicted from further construction. Residents continue building despite court order while the department adheres to order.

* December 2010 – department obtains contempt of court against occupiers. Thirteen builders arrested for violating interim court order.

* March 2011 – the matter is referred for mediation. Of the 164 properties involved, only 11 respond and only three found to be on housing waiting lists. Mediation fails.

* September 2011 – the department obtains a final court order. A number of meetings held with residents, including community police forums, ratepayers’ associations and councillors, but building continues;

* November 2012 – illegal occupants approach the court for an urgent order to stop demolition, but are dismissed with costs. The department demolishes 53 unoccupied homes; The Human Rights Commission lodges papers and succeeds in halting demolition for 24 hours while it makes a list of affected people.

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The Star

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