South Africa: Levelling in Lenasia

On Monday, Lenasia residents welcomed the 24-hour interdict preventing the Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing from demolishing another 62 homes. Families who have lost their homes hope public pressure will lead to compensation and alternative accommodation.

For now, though, they just want a roof over their heads.

Samson Ngubeni and his son Sipho share the same birthday, 10 November.

They planned a party at their adjoining Lenasia houses to celebrate turning 52 and 30. A few friends were invited, but the attendance list was already lengthy. Samson lived with his wife, two other children, brother in-law, grandson and friend in one house. Next door, Sipho lived with four others. The party was planned for Saturday, but on Thursday their homes were the first of 51 to be demolished in the area.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said Monday that five people are on trial for selling land illegally in Lenasia. Her comments followed an order by the South Gauteng High Court forcing the provincial Department of Local Government and Housing to suspend the demolition of 62 more structures.

Bulldozers destroyed homes across Lenasia last week when the department decided to act on a 2011 court order allowing them to demolish structures built on the land sold by corrupt government officials or agents lying about having connections with the department. The sight of a mother carrying her baby as she was dragged crying from her house has since commanded public attention and brought a number of groups to Lenasia on Monday.

The Ngubeni family stood watching their pile of bricks and timber while other residents listened to the visitors. Samson bought the two plots years ago for R35,000 each and has since spent hundreds of thousands constructing the two houses. He was waiting to have water and electricity installed. The department told him to stop building in 2009 and recently he heard talk of demolitions, but he never expected them to arrive with police on Thursday and tell the family to remove their furniture. The family is now staying with friends across Lenasia and Soweto. One of their boys is staying in a shack next to the rubble. He didn't go to school on Monday.

(2012-11-13/allafrica)