The Department of Human Settlements and Local Government and Cooperative Governance has reached an agreement with the top management of the Red Ant Security Relocation and Eviction Services (well known as Red Ants) to ensure that all future evictions do not infringe on the human rights of residents, especially the vulnerable groups: the elderly, women, children and people with disability.
Speaking during a scheduled meeting with the company’s top management this morning MEC Jacob Mamabolo described the current culture and practice of evicting residents as “distasteful” and insisted that “it has to stop immediately”.
“We are deeply concerned by the acts of violence, displacements, confrontations, loss of property and gross disregard as well as violation of human rights every time evictions take place. Our experience is that evictions leave behind a trail of pain. This is not correct and acceptable. The most vulnerable citizens should be treated with respect” commented MEC Mamabolo.
Both the department and the Red Ants management agreed to work together to priorities the interests of the vulnerable groups during evictions as well as to minimise unnecessary confrontations.
“This is a new working partnership which will also involve other key public and private stakeholders. The partnership will include identification of vulnerable groups before evictions are carried out, sharing of information, public education, and detailed communication to residents facing evictions.”
MEC Mamabolo further commented: Eviction notices must be clear. Messages must be distributed with clear instructions informing residents what to do. This could encourage residents, including the vulnerable citizens, to seek alternative accommodation in time, protect their valuable properties or simply vacate the properties.
Our intention is to discourage violence while also taking care of the vulnerable groups. I am deeply convinced that things could be done better
MEC Mamabolo also noted that the department is fully aware that eviction companies such Red Ants were enforcing the law on behalf of the courts and the Offices of the Sherrif. He stated that court orders should be respected but also cautioned that role players should also be mindful of how such orders are executed.
The Red Ants expressed concern that they were being incorrectly implicated in many violence related cases which they are not responsible for. The company noted that it has a strict disciplinary code of conduct for its employees and will take action against anyone implicated in deliberate acts of violence and damage to property.
The company noted that most evictions are characterised by high emotions and aggression.
The company also noted hostile cases in which some of their members were being attacked or even killed while executing eviction orders. In other cases, criminal elements and building high-jackers in the Johannesburg CBD were also fingered as the main causes for the eviction violence.
The company also expressed great concern about the emergence of new unregistered eviction companies which are operating like armed gangs and cow-boys. The mafia-style companies are said to be using violence and evicting residents as well as attaching properties using illegal eviction orders in most parts of the Johannesburg CBD.
The rising trend of illegal evictions and attachments obtained through corrupt and fraudulent practices was stated as major concern and both parties agreed to work together to curb the problem.
Other concerns noted by the Red Ants management relate to some political parties mobilising the vulnerable groups to defy court orders resulting in resistance and violence.
“We want to make it clear that we do not accept illegal occupations of land and properties. We therefore call on Gauteng communities to work with us. We will not tolerate property theft in this province” MEC Mamabolo emphasised.
Issued by the Gauteng Departments of Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs.
For more information contact:
Victor Moreriane
Cell: 079 529 5836
Tel: 011 355 4873
