Marikana – Despite threats and intimidation, a pensioner, Dorah Diremela has vowed not to leave her new house in Marikana near Rustenburg in the North West province.
“This is my house, I am not going anywhere,” she said resolutely on Monday.
“They tried to force me out of the house on Thursday night. I told them this was my house they can do whatever they want (but) I am not leaving.”
She said a group of people had arrived at her house and told he to get out as they wanted to burn the furniture inside the house.
Diremela, 75, was one of two people who received new houses from North West premier Supra Mahumapelo last week, amid protests from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members and supporters.
Another beneficiary, Piet Tlou did not sleep in his house on Thursday night. He apparently left for safety reasons after a mob stormed into his house and forced him out.
“He left on Thursday night and came Friday morning. He left stating that he was going to collect his belongings and he was never seen since Friday,” said one community member.
Mineworkers in Marikana wanted to occupy the houses forcefully, claiming the houses were built for them following the killing of 34 mineworkers during the Marikana massacre in 2012.
The 34 mineworkers were killed when police fired at them on August 16, 2012, following a violent strike at Lonmin platinum mine operations in Marikana. The striking miners had been demanding to be paid a minimum monthly salary of R12,500. Several more people, including two security guards and a police officer were killed in the week leading up to the police action on August 16.
At least 544 houses of the Marikana housing project have been completed. The project was expected to yield 2,600 housing units upon completion.
“I slept well without any fear,” Diremela said. “Community members are guarding me and the police are patrolling this area. I have no reason to fear.”
On arrival at her house on Monday, a number of community members were sitting around her, sharing jokes with her.
“These people are always here, as if they do not have their homes to look after. I cannot rest, I do not know why are they here. When are people leaving?” she joked.
On Monday, officials from the Rustenburg municipality were allocating more houses to new recipients.
Gloria Motsikoe was one of the 30 recipients of the government homes.
“I am so happy, I have been renting a backyard room in Marikana for a solid 13 years. Before that I rented room at various places in Rustenburg for seven years. I am so exited to have my own house,” she said.
The houses consist of two bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom. The houses have water and electricity.
More people were expected to be allocated houses, however mineworkers say they have a legitimate claim to the houses. Many believe the houses were built in response to the Marikana tragedy.
“These houses belong to mineworkers, now they are being allocated to people working at shops in Marikana and mineworkers are left behind. That is why mineworkers want to occupy the houses forcefully,” said a man identifying himself as Boiki.
Several houses were spray-painted with the names of people meant to occupy them.
African News Agency
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