Earlier today, Friday, 27th December 2019, a joint-operation was conducted by JMPD and other authorities which saw an estimated 19 unoccupied half-built structures get demolished at various sites across Lenasia, Extension 13.
I went to the scene at around 1pm to speak to some of the angry residents of these allegedly illegal dwellings that were demolished but unfortunately, a few of them who were part of a meeting held at the time became rude to me, and incredulously claimed that it is “my people who did this”, though I did not understand what they were saying or meant by such an outlandish statement. They also demanded that they want Media24’s Daily Sun newspaper to cover this ordeal and these few residents claim “it is our paper” and Lenasia Times is a paper “for your people”. Not respecting that I was simply performing my role as an impartial journalist there to help ascertain facts and fairly obtain all sides to the story, they nevertheless chased me away and I then had to run to safety as they appeared ready to start stoning me.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla explained today’s demolitions was due to a planned joint-operation involving JMPD Region G, POPs, Bylaws Unit, and SAPS POPs in Extension 13.
He said, “Approximately 19 unoccupied half-built structures were demolished. There was no resistance or violence encountered.
Fed up and frustrated residents of Ext 13 said: "Lenasia residents, extension 13, have been experiencing Land Invasion for a while now. This has inconvenience residents in many ways," adding that land-invaders have been connecting water and electricity illegally, our home values have been at risk, our streets have been vandalized, these Land invaders have been brutal and rude to the residents." Crime has been increasing, almost every corner have become a dumping site. We were at the mercy of the government and we are now greatful that there is justice in South Africa." They ended by explaining, "These Land-Invaders are people who have enough money to risk illegal buildings so they could benefit free land, so they are not people who are from the streets. Some of the houses they built are the luxury type and they drive luxury cars as we see them parked next to their illegal land and monitor their construction. This is greed and it has to be stopped."
A video of my ordeal with upset residents can be seen here
https://www.facebook.com/lenasiatimes/videos/488399165133804/
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