Lenasia home demolitions 'disappointing'

12 November 2012 - 12:43 By Sapa
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A catapillar at work during the structural demolition by the Department of Housing. File picture.
A catapillar at work during the structural demolition by the Department of Housing. File picture.
Image: Bafana Mahlangu

The Ecological Movement of SA expressed disappointment on Monday at the demolishing of illegally-built houses in Lenasia.

"How can the Gauteng government claim to be sending a strong message by demolishing houses? Instead, they should be finding ways of ensuring that those who are already there pay services and other necessary fees," spokeswoman Teboho Mashota said.

The Gauteng local government and housing department last week demolished 52 houses in the area. Head of the department, Mongezi Myani said the department was set to tear down another 113 houses that were erected on illegally-sold land in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.

Mashota said the illegal sales were immaterial as families were acting within their constitutional rights.

"Ordinary working class families went out of their way to find means of making a reality of providing shelter to their loved ones, given our right as enshrined in our so-called progressive Constitution, the right to access to housing and the right to property," she said.

The Ecological Movement of SA champions human rights and climate change issues. It was formed by former members of the Anti-Privatisation Forum.

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