Eviction deadline for Homestead Park residents extended
The recreational space owned by the City of Joburg was illegally invaded by recyclers over 20 years ago.
JOHANNESBURG - The community of Homestead Park in downtown Johannesburg is disappointed that the city failed to move residents as promised from the informal settlement built on a Sasol gas pipeline.
The recreational space owned by the City of Joburg was illegally invaded by recyclers over 20 years ago.
Since then, the area has been left unkempt, with residents having built homes out of cardboard.
In a report seen by Eyewitness News, the city noted plans to evict the illegal dwellers primarily for their safety by Monday, but that did not happen owing to a lack of housing.
The city had announced it would be moving the residents of Homestead Park, most of whom are recyclers, to alternative accommodation in the same area.
But that plan suddenly changed Monday morning, only for teams from Johannesburg city parks to arrive, conducting what can be described as a cleanup of the area.
Councillor Moloko Louis said aside from the danger of living on top of a gas line, the place has been turned into an illegal recycling hub.
"Initially, we wanted to clean up the place and look to evict the vagrants however, because of legal challenges, we don't have a space as yet," said Louis.
He added that as a result of not obtaining alternative housing, the eviction deadline has been extended.