Woodstock residents stage protest against home evictions

27 August 2016 - 17:19 By Deneesha Pillay

Dozens of people have gathered at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock‚ Cape Town‚ on Saturday in protest against home evictions taking place in the area. In October 2015‚ the homes of tenants living in Bromwell Street in Woodstock were purchased by The Woodstock Hub.The new owners recently secured eviction orders against the residents when the residents lost a Western Cape High Court application which gave them until September 9 to move out of the row of attached houses.Protesters in the Old Biscuit Mill market at #Woodstock#CapeTownpic.twitter.com/4aCTZW6Vpc— Dalaine Krige (@LaineyKrige) August 27, 2016asyncThe Sunday Times reported last month that Woodstock Hub claims the tenants have failed to pay rent since May last year.And residents could not provide evidence of a rental agreement.Speaking to TMG Digital‚ Thandeka Sisusa‚ spokesperson for Reclaim the City said that the organisation was there to support the residents.“We are told that they want to make space for parking for cars. How can they move people for cars? “Where are these people meant to go? They have got nowhere to go. “We are here to support the people of Bromwell Street‚ we are fighting with them‚” she said.Reclaim the City said in a statement on Friday that many Bromwell Street residents have lived in their homes for decades.“75-year-old Aunty Brenda Smith has lived there for her entire life.“On Saturday they will make a plea for compassion and assistance from the building’s new owner in their attempts to find affordable accommodation in or near their home community of Woodstock‚” the statement read.The Woodstock Hub said on Friday that they “acquired the properties at 120-130 Bromwell Street‚ Woodstock‚ on October 30 2013 from the seller‚ Reza Syms‚ with a contractual agreement that they would be vacant on transfer”.“It is important to state that the Hub did not acquire the properties with the intention of them being occupied and as circumstances unfolded we have throughout the process maintained high levels of sensitivity and respect for the process and the right of all occupants of the properties‚” the statement added.TMG Digital..

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