KEY POINTS
- Officials from the City of Joburg are checking if the land where the hostel sits is in private hands.
- Two demonstrators lost their lives in the confrontation about land ownership.
- The people of Eugene want to know what’s happening and have access to information.
After receiving news that private people were possibly the land owners, the City of Johannesburg began an investigation into the Diepkloof Hostel in Soweto.
As a result, many people are now concerned about possible illegal land deals following a demonstration on Monday that killed two individuals.
People protest violently over who owns the organizations
Among the protesters in the community was an unidentified waste collector who died after trucks struck him during the unrest. Police report that the drivers were running away after people began looting during the disturbances. It began with reports that a number of the hostel blocks had been sold to individuals in 2023.
The hostel is in fact owned privately by the people who run it. Nobody was present at the time this illegality took place, said Mlungisi Mabaso, MMC for Human Settlements. As part of the investigation, we will discover who was responsible for making this happen in the company.
Individuals in the community want to be informed
People living nearby closed off access to the streets and looted nearby trucks, claiming that the government had not given them promised shelter on vacant sites. Mabaso headed to the region to try and solve the issue and communicate with those planning more action.
A member of the community told us that the protest hoped to attract attention to the worry of displacement. He further stated that residents found it surprising that part of the hostel had been privately purchased. The resident asked the government to explain how it came to be and what will happen going forward.
Law enforcement steps in as stress rises at Diepkloof hostel
In each container housing area, police with firearms checked every house, seeking stolen goods and attempting to restore calm. Colonel Mavela Masondo said the truck driver ran over several people, then drove off and authorities are now working on a report.
According to community leader Sbongiseni Khoza, people in the township need the government to explain how someone was able to own public land. The issue is preventing any further renovation from happening.
Subsequent steps in the search concerning Diepkloof hostel
City officials stated they would be open and investigate the land transaction fully. The Public Relations Officer promised to release the results and implement the necessary actions.
The residents should know the truth about the process and our actions. We must pinpoint the reason for the issues,” he mentioned.
Distress about safe housing and also land ownership is the key reason for the ongoing protest in Diepkloof, Johannesburg.
