More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg, which is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
IT WILL be a miserable Christmas for more than 140 people who’ve been evacuated from the Moth Building in Joburg.
The building is said to have been hijacked.
The evacuation is part of an ongoing commitment to tackling the pressing issues of problem properties and hijacked buildings in the inner city.
People have been living in inhumane conditions; however, they call it their home as many have been living there since 2009.
When Daily Sun entered the building on Wednesday morning, 11 December, during the ongoing operations, we were greeted by the unbearable rotten smell of rubbish.
Entering the building without wearing a mask is not possible. Leaking taps have caused water stagnation, making movement difficult.
But residents were seen hopping around it.
More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg, which is said to be hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
This has become their daily life, and they’re now accustomed to the smell. They walk around freely without covering their noses.
The building has more than 20 shacks inside, which the residents are currently using.
Accused of paying R1 500 rent to the building’s syndicates, community leader Lindokuhle Majola refuted the claims.
“Most of the people living here are unemployed. How are they paying rent? No one is paying rent here,” he said.
He said that he has been living in the Moth Building for 15 years and fails to understand why they’re being evicted when the correct channels were not followed.
More than 140 people have been evacuated from Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
“We weren’t informed that the eviction would take place today. I woke up as usual and prepared for work. To my surprise, when I went outside, I saw JMPD officials, and they informed us that we are being evacuated. Why were we not told in time so we can prepare and pack our stuff?” he said.
Community member Sboniso Biyela said staying in a stinky building has been a mess.
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“I’m glad that we are now moved to a better place. We deserve a safe place with good hygiene too,” he said.
Joburg Mayor Dada Morero told Daily Sun that they’re moving people to some areas in Fleurhof and some buildings located in the city.
“The intention is to allow for renovations. We can then bring them back to continue paying rentals,” he said.
More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
More than 140 people have been evacuated from Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
More than 140 people have been evacuated from Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
More than 140 people have been evacuated from the Moth building in Joburg. The building is said to have been hijacked. Photo by Nhlanhla Khomola
He added that the residents are already paying rentals between R1,500 and R2,000 to syndicates and building hijackers.
“We want to create a better environment for our people. The environment that they are living in now is so bad,” he added.
MMC of Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, said that the residents will be allocated to family units in Fleurhof.
“There are challenges from those who are refusing to move. Some of them are those who are collecting rent here,” he said.
Once the evacuation is complete, the Moth Building will be sealed, and services such as water and electricity will be permanently disconnected to prevent reinvasion.
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