Modise calls for urgent intervention to avert evictions

Friday, May 31, 2013

Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise has called for an urgent inter-governmental intervention to find alternative accommodation for over 1 000 households who are facing eviction from the Meiringspark/Ratanang informal settlement in Klerksdorp.

“An eviction that will result in thousands of people being thrown [out on] the streets during a year in which the country is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Native Land Act would be repulsive and undermine the strides we have made towards restoring the dignity of the homeless,” Modise said.

According to the Office of the Premier, the intervention is to be coordinated by the Provincial Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs.

Modise said everything should be done to ensure that the relocation of the community, as per the Gauteng North High Court ruling, is as humane as possible and not reminiscent of the humiliation of the apartheid era evictions.

“We respect our courts and will redouble our efforts and support the Matlosana Local Municipality to find an urgent and amicable solution that will not necessitate an eviction,” said Modise. – SAnews.gov.za