200 evicted from 'deadly' havens

2003-02-26 13:16

Johannesburg - More than 200 people were evicted from two buildings in central Johannesburg on Wednesday morning on orders of the city council.

Mbangwa Xaba of the council said the "Red Ants", a private security firm they used to enforce evictions, had moved about 100 people, who were squatting in an abandoned building called Olympia in Hunter Street, Yeoville, at 06:00.

Another 100 were later cleared from Sunleigh Court in Sutherland Street, Braamfontein.

Xaba said Olympia had been abandoned by an absentee landlord and "slumlords" had taken over.

The council was owed several million rands for lights, water and other services. The building would be handed to anyone who could settle the outstanding account.

Xaba said Sunleigh Court, another abandoned property, was in such a state of disrepair it had become a safety hazard and would be demolished within the next two weeks.

Taking advantage of the desperate

Most of the occupants of the two properties had been served eviction notices in the past fortnight. There were no incidents of violence as furniture and other property were moved out on to pavements.

Xaba said slumlords took advantage of the need for living space by moving into abandoned buildings and charging rent.

Anyone who was offered accommodation should look for the telltale signs of serious neglect, such as defective lifts, broken lights, interrupted water supply and inadequate sewage disposal.

Where these were seen, they should contact the council's helpline on 011 355 5555.

- SAPA