Rosemary Tsaganis was devastated when the make-shift homes found on the corner of Black Reef Road and Radio Street in Elsiehof were recently destroyed by EMPD officers.<\/p>\n
She claimed the shacks had been there for years before they were destroyed without warning.<\/p>
\u201cThe residents were given no warning before the EMPD arrived and began destroying their homes,\u201d alleged Tsaganis.<\/p>\n
Kobeli Mokheseng, media liaison officer for the EMPD, said this is untrue.<\/p>
\u201cThe residents were given notice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNotice would have been given by the owners of the land, as it is private property, and by EMPD officials at least a week before residents were removed from the area.\u201d<\/p>\n
He further explained that though it was unclear how long the homes had been on the land they were removed because they were illegal structures on private land that is not conducive for habitation.<\/p>\n
When asked who had given the order to have the residents removed, Mokheseng said, \u201cMunicipal officials and stakeholders responsible for the land gave the order.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0<\/strong>New solution to overcoming power outages<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAfter their removal, residents were advised to visit the nearest metro customer care centre to attain more information from the housing and human settlement department as to where they could find alternative accommodation.\u201d<\/p>\n Tsaganis stated she did not believe the EMPD and their reasoning and was planning to take the matter further.<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n