Thubelisha Homes has come out with all guns blazing over the invasion of partially built houses in Khayelitsha's Mandela Park, warning occupants that they will not get away with their takeover and hiring 60 security guards to stop anyone else moving in.
Now, according to the housing agent, there are two to three guards per house to keep watch seven days a week.
On Tuesday the security guards were on site to ensure the houses were not invaded or vandalised.
The housing agent's regional general manager Prince Xhanti Sigcawu, said: "We are trying to prevent people from forcing their way into the unfinished houses," he said, adding that those who had already moved into unfinished houses would be issued with eviction letters soon.
"As soon as the court process is finished we will distribute the letters ordering them to move out within 30 days of receiving the eviction orders," Sigcawu said.
One homeowner in the area, who did not want to be named, said the security guards were doing a great job.
"It's a good thing they are there at night as well because that is the time when the invaders like to come and all of a sudden we wake up to a new neighbour," he said.
Ward councillor for Mandela Park, Rhyder Mkutswana, agreed that the new security was good for the area.
"Rightful owners of those houses wait for years to get their houses, and all we want is for people to be happy," he said.
The invasions in Mandela Park started in February when the first round of houses were built.
Invaders kicked in doors, demanding they be allowed to live in them, and arrests and court appearances followed.
Nearly 50 invaders were warned at a meeting with their ward councillor that they would receive eviction letters soon.
The invaders promised to vacate the houses as long as an acceptable alternative was offered.
One, Luyanda Senteni, 27, said at the meeting that he was willing to move "on condition they pay back the money I've spent getting this house into shape".
"When I moved in it was incomplete and I spent more than R10 000 on this house," he claimed.
"They must also know that they are increasing the number of homeless people because now I won't have a place to stay," he said. - Cape Argus
Now, according to the housing agent, there are two to three guards per house to keep watch seven days a week.
On Tuesday the security guards were on site to ensure the houses were not invaded or vandalised.
The housing agent's regional general manager Prince Xhanti Sigcawu, said: "We are trying to prevent people from forcing their way into the unfinished houses," he said, adding that those who had already moved into unfinished houses would be issued with eviction letters soon.
"As soon as the court process is finished we will distribute the letters ordering them to move out within 30 days of receiving the eviction orders," Sigcawu said.
One homeowner in the area, who did not want to be named, said the security guards were doing a great job.
"It's a good thing they are there at night as well because that is the time when the invaders like to come and all of a sudden we wake up to a new neighbour," he said.
Ward councillor for Mandela Park, Rhyder Mkutswana, agreed that the new security was good for the area.
"Rightful owners of those houses wait for years to get their houses, and all we want is for people to be happy," he said.
The invasions in Mandela Park started in February when the first round of houses were built.
Invaders kicked in doors, demanding they be allowed to live in them, and arrests and court appearances followed.
Nearly 50 invaders were warned at a meeting with their ward councillor that they would receive eviction letters soon.
The invaders promised to vacate the houses as long as an acceptable alternative was offered.
One, Luyanda Senteni, 27, said at the meeting that he was willing to move "on condition they pay back the money I've spent getting this house into shape".
"When I moved in it was incomplete and I spent more than R10 000 on this house," he claimed.
"They must also know that they are increasing the number of homeless people because now I won't have a place to stay," he said. - Cape Argus
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