Hundreds of Cape Town's backyard dwellers, who say they have been waiting for promised housing for several years, are refusing to move from unfinished houses in the N2 Gateway project in Delft, which they are occupying illegally.
This week, groups of residents from Delft, Belhar, Elsies River and Bonteheuwel started moving into houses reserved for Joe Slovo residents who lost their informal homes in a Langa fire two years ago.
Frank Martin, a ward councillor for another section of Delft, was arrested on Thursday after a confrontation between police and those occupying the houses in New Symphony Way.
The new arrivals, who have been moving in since Wednesday, said that although the houses lacked doors, windows, running water or electricity, they were "good enough" for them.
They have already hung curtains on paneless windows and some have written their names and slogans such as "Los af" (Leave alone) on the outside walls.
Several people arrived ferrying their belongings on horse carts and brought bricks, ceilingboards, roof tiles, curtains or other material with which to secure the houses.
The angry new arrivals said they were frustrated with waiting for homes and upset that some people were receiving housing privileges which others were not.
"What we want is a 50/50 not a 70/30 deal in the allocation of the houses here," said Nompumelelo Sigam.
All the people here, he said, had suffered as much as Joe Slovo shack fire victims. "At least they (fire victims) have got temporary houses, so they should also wait like anyone else," said Sigam.
Meanwhile police spokesperson Inspector Bernadine Steyn confirmed Martin's arrest at his Black Heath home on Thursday.
She said he was due to appear in the Bellville Magistrates' Court on Friday on charges of violating a court order, fraud and enticing riotous behaviour.
Councillor Dirk Smit said on Thursday that Martin could also face disciplinary action if he was found to have contravened the councillors' code of conduct.
This follows allegations by a housing company that wrote to the city saying he was encouraging people to illegally occupy the Delft houses.
Prince Xanthi Sigcau of Thubelisha, who deals with the N2 Gateway houses, said the contractors, Ibuyile, were responsible for the houses until they were handed over to Thubelisha. He said the contractors had taken the matter to police.
Vusi Tshose, spokesperson for Housing MEC Richard Dyanti, said the department was working with the City of Cape Town to ensure houses were given to the people to whom they had been allocated. - Cape Argus
This week, groups of residents from Delft, Belhar, Elsies River and Bonteheuwel started moving into houses reserved for Joe Slovo residents who lost their informal homes in a Langa fire two years ago.
Frank Martin, a ward councillor for another section of Delft, was arrested on Thursday after a confrontation between police and those occupying the houses in New Symphony Way.
The new arrivals, who have been moving in since Wednesday, said that although the houses lacked doors, windows, running water or electricity, they were "good enough" for them.
They have already hung curtains on paneless windows and some have written their names and slogans such as "Los af" (Leave alone) on the outside walls.
Several people arrived ferrying their belongings on horse carts and brought bricks, ceilingboards, roof tiles, curtains or other material with which to secure the houses.
The angry new arrivals said they were frustrated with waiting for homes and upset that some people were receiving housing privileges which others were not.
"What we want is a 50/50 not a 70/30 deal in the allocation of the houses here," said Nompumelelo Sigam.
All the people here, he said, had suffered as much as Joe Slovo shack fire victims. "At least they (fire victims) have got temporary houses, so they should also wait like anyone else," said Sigam.
Meanwhile police spokesperson Inspector Bernadine Steyn confirmed Martin's arrest at his Black Heath home on Thursday.
She said he was due to appear in the Bellville Magistrates' Court on Friday on charges of violating a court order, fraud and enticing riotous behaviour.
Councillor Dirk Smit said on Thursday that Martin could also face disciplinary action if he was found to have contravened the councillors' code of conduct.
This follows allegations by a housing company that wrote to the city saying he was encouraging people to illegally occupy the Delft houses.
Prince Xanthi Sigcau of Thubelisha, who deals with the N2 Gateway houses, said the contractors, Ibuyile, were responsible for the houses until they were handed over to Thubelisha. He said the contractors had taken the matter to police.
Vusi Tshose, spokesperson for Housing MEC Richard Dyanti, said the department was working with the City of Cape Town to ensure houses were given to the people to whom they had been allocated. - Cape Argus
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