Priya Ranchod
Illegal
land invasion is a major issue and source of distress to residents in Lenasia
and surrounding areas. Community members of Lenasia appear fed-up with frequent,
annoying acts of illegal land invasion. Earlier today, Friday, 27th December 2019, a joint-operation was conducted by JMPD and other authorities which saw an estimated 19 unoccupied half-built structures get demolished at various sites across Lenasia, Extension 13.
I went to the scene at around 1pm to speak to some of the angry residents of these allegedly illegal dwellings that were demolished but unfortunately, a few of them who were part of a meeting held at the time became rude to me, and incredulously claimed that it is “my people who did this”, though I did not understand what they were saying or meant by such an outlandish statement. They also demanded that they want Media24’s Daily Sun newspaper to cover this ordeal and these few residents claim “it is our paper” and Lenasia Times is a paper “for your people”. Not respecting that I was simply performing my role as an impartial journalist there to help ascertain facts and fairly obtain all sides to the story, they nevertheless chased me away and I then had to run to safety as they appeared ready to start stoning me.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla explained today’s demolitions was due to a planned joint-operation involving JMPD Region G, POPs, Bylaws Unit, and SAPS POPs in Extension 13.
He said, “Approximately 19 unoccupied half-built structures were demolished. There was no resistance or violence encountered.”
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