Ekurhuleni’s Red Ants continue evicting residents occupying from Germiston flats

JOHANNESBURG - Ekurhuleni’s Red Ants are continuing with the process of removing Pharoe Park residents occupying a block of flats in the Germiston CBD.

Wednesday marks day two of the eviction process, conducted by the city's housing department.

On Tuesday, more than 400 occupants were forcefully removed for failure to pay rent and illegally occupying the units, leading to demonstrations by the angry residents, who also burnt a Home Affairs building.

Two people have since been arrested following the protests.

Human Settlements MMC Kgopelo Hollo said one block of flats was left behind during Tuesday's evictions.

Occupants from four blocks of flats in Pharoe Park, Germiston, have been left in limbo after being evicted from their homes.

Some pieces of furniture left behind during Tuesday's removal process still lie among litter that has been scattered on the ground,

The once occupied units are now empty with broken burglar guards, open doors, and windows.

Some of the evicted residents have camped outside the gate of one of the flats, demanding to speak to Hollo

"MMC, we want to hear what you say because you are lying on TV that we are illegal. How can we be illegal people staying here?"

Meanwhile, Hollo told the media that the city had provided a community hall for the former occupants to store their belongings for safekeeping.