Saul said they had been allocated the sites by the village chief, Nkosi Zwelenkosi Bhabha.
He said the municipality had never indicated that the land belonged to it.
“My family is traumatised. My four-year-old could not sleep last night and kept asking why homes were demolished like that. We are devastated and very hurt by this.”
Another resident, Sithembiso Mbana, said the municipality should rebuild their houses.
“I built my three-room flat and it cost me about R25,000. I was not there when they demolished it. I came back from work to see it flattened,” said Mbana.
He had not yet moved in since it was not yet finished.
Bhabha said he was saddened by what had happened to his subjects.
He said the municipality was claiming ownership of the land.
“We are going to approach lawyers to find a way forward. This is making me angry,” said Bhabha.
“That land belongs to Ngxakolo. The municipality did this without consulting me as the leader of my people. They [his subjects] are hurting and we get no answers from the municipality. This needs to be solved.”
Mhlontlo communication officer Sisa Mpehle did not respond to queries on Wednesday. His phone went unanswered, and he did not respond to an SMS or an e-mail.
ziyandaz@dispatch.co.za
Villagers seething over demolition of homes
Image: SIKHO NTSHOBANE
Devastated Ngxakolo Extension villagers in Qumbu want the municipality to rebuild their demolished homes.
Bulldozers moved in on Tuesday morning and demolished about seven brick and mortar homes.
On Wednesday the affected residents went to the Mhlontlo municipality, demanding answers why their homes had been demolished.
Some residents, who started building homes soon after plots were allocated about three years ago, had not moved into their homes when the bulldozers came.
Akhona Saul said the demolition team had been accompanied by two police officers.
He said they wanted the municipality to show them a court order authorising the demolition.
“But they did not say anything. I watched as the houses were destroyed. They removed my garden fence and threw it away. I think they did not demolish my home because I was there,” Saul said.
He said he had planned to plough and plant vegetables, but now he would first have to re-fence the property.
“My family and I now live in fear. We don't know what will happen. Those people might come back and finish what they started.”
Ancestral home demolished after court ruling
Saul said they had been allocated the sites by the village chief, Nkosi Zwelenkosi Bhabha.
He said the municipality had never indicated that the land belonged to it.
“My family is traumatised. My four-year-old could not sleep last night and kept asking why homes were demolished like that. We are devastated and very hurt by this.”
Another resident, Sithembiso Mbana, said the municipality should rebuild their houses.
“I built my three-room flat and it cost me about R25,000. I was not there when they demolished it. I came back from work to see it flattened,” said Mbana.
He had not yet moved in since it was not yet finished.
Bhabha said he was saddened by what had happened to his subjects.
He said the municipality was claiming ownership of the land.
“We are going to approach lawyers to find a way forward. This is making me angry,” said Bhabha.
“That land belongs to Ngxakolo. The municipality did this without consulting me as the leader of my people. They [his subjects] are hurting and we get no answers from the municipality. This needs to be solved.”
Mhlontlo communication officer Sisa Mpehle did not respond to queries on Wednesday. His phone went unanswered, and he did not respond to an SMS or an e-mail.
ziyandaz@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos