Fearful Nellmapius residents illegally occupying govt flats calling for crackdown on gangsters

JOHANNESBURG - Fearful residents at the Nellmapius Heatherly flats are calling on the Human Settlements Department to intervene after their building was allegedly hijacked by a local gang.
 
Residents claim gang members have attacked, assaulted and evicted several community members in the last few years demanding they pay R500 every month.
 
Although they're illegally occupying the government-owned block of flats, residents say they're tired of sleeping with one eye open.

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In addition, the residents say they were held at gunpoint by a local gang - threatening to evict them if they didn't pay a monthly fee of R500.
 
They allege that gang members raided their homes almost every morning and have described how kids witnessed their parents being assaulted.

One resident told Eyewitness News that while police have been helpful - the Human Settlements Department seems to be indifferent.

"We are living in fear. Sometimes, I struggle to sleep because I'm afraid they'll raid my house once again."
 
However - the Human Settlements Department is reportedly working closely with the developers and court to execute eviction orders.