EMPD says the claims made by Germiston shack dwellers that their homes have been demolished without warning are fallacious.
Germiston residents said that they are devastated when they found the shacks that had their belongings have been destroyed.
EMPD officers destroyed the homes that used to be found on the corner of Black Reef Road and Radio Street.
One of the victims, Rosemary Tsaganis said that she was shocked when she found her home destroyed.
“I have been living here for almost ten years, today when I arrived from work all my staff were on the streets and some of my belongings were destroyed, nobody warned us nobody came to talk to us.”
“The shacks had been there for years before they were destroyed without warning or notification.”
“The residents were given no warning before the EMPD arrived and began destroying their homes. Some of the people who live here tried talking to the EMPD but they did not want to hear us out,” she said.
Media liaison officer for the EMPD Kobeli Mokheseng denied claims made by residents.
“The residents were given notice by the city,” said Mokheseng.
“Notice would have been given by the owners of the land, as it is private property, and by EMPD officials at least a week before residents were removed from the area,” He added.
He further explained that though it was unclear how long the homes had been on the land, they were removed because they erected illegal structures on private land that is not built for habitation.
When asked who had given the order to have the residents removed, Mokheseng said, “Municipal officials and stakeholders responsible for the land gave the order.
