'Squatters evicted peacefully'
2005-04-06 14:26
Johannesburg - The eviction of around 1 000 people from a farm in Skeerpoort, North West, was proceeding peacefully on Wednesday, said police.
Captain Elsabe Augoustides said employees of the sheriff of the court started breaking down shacks early in the morning and two loads had already been taken to Bokfontein, about 20km away.
Police were keeping a watchful eye on the removals, but Augoustides said the people in the informal settlement were calm.
The evictions came after the owner of Trans-World and Erlina farms in Skeerpoort got an eviction order to remove the squatters.
'Eviction process is lawful'
On Tuesday, the provincial branch of the Freedom Front Plus described the evictions as "illegal," saying it would promote lawlessness.
Mandla Mathebula of local government and housing department said lawful procedures were followed in the eviction process.
"The eviction order was issued in 2003.
"According to the eviction laws of this country, you cannot evict someone without offering them alternative land, be it temporary or permanently.
"All of this was considered during the process."
He said basic facilities such those for sanitation would "definitely" be provided.
Augoustides said buses were being supplied by the city council to transport the people to their new homes.
- SAPA