The homeless in Alex re-occupy shipping container flats
The shipping container flats were built in 2020 as emergency shelters to accommodate people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Container units in Alexandra. Picture: EWN/Thabiso Goba
JOHANNESBURG - The government-owned shipping container flats in Alexandra township have been re-occupied again by homeless people.
On Sunday, Johannesburg Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) PR councillor Moshe Mphahlele was shot dead during a community protest near the flats.
At the time of his death, Mphahlele was attempting to mediate talks between law enforcement officers and homeless people who wanted to forcibly occupy the vacant flats.
[UPDATE] The government-owned container flats in Alexandra have been occupied again.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 8, 2024
Security that was guarding the place was chased away last night and their vehicle torched.
On Sunday, Joburg EFF PR cllr, Moshe Mpahlele, was shot dead during a protest outside the flats. TCG pic.twitter.com/LfVvzKKmdo
The shipping container flats were built in 2020 as emergency shelter to accommodate people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, after three years of them being vacant, a group of people from Alexandra forcibly occupied them.
Community leader Palesa Nkomo said for the past year, they have been engaged in a back-and forth-with police.
"Yesterday [Wednesday], while the EFF crowd came to pay respect for Moshe, they decided the security company that works here has to go out because it’s the one involved in Moshes shooting so they kicked it out," said Nkomo.
Nkomo said they have since moved back in and are waiting for police to evict them again.
SHIPPING CONTAINER OCCUPIERS WILLING TO DIE
A torched armoured security vehicle stands idle inside the container flats, with smoke still coming out from it.
The security guards have left, and residents have taken over the flats.
Community leader – Harry Dube – said they just want a decent place to live.
“If they really want this place back, they will have to kill us all. They should just give it to us since we have fought for it and even lost people in the process. The only thing we want from the government is for it to give us the place, it’s not too big of an ask.”
Dube said they are willing to work with the municipality on formalising their stay in the flats.