Community leaders of the newly established Siyahlala informal settlement, in Khayelitsha, came under siege last week as disgruntled residents destroyed their shacks.
At least five shacks, all owned by the leaders, were destroyed when residents went on the rampage last Wednesday and Thursday, forcing owners to flee the area.
The residents are allegedly demanding monies that had been paid to the leaders for the installation of basic services such as water. It is alleged that every shack owner was asked to contribute R100 towards the initiative.
Former Siyahlala chairperson Bongiwe Kethabahle, who is currently in hiding, said three people entered her house on Wednesday, around 5pm and demanded that she give them the money that had been collected from the residents.
Ms Kethabahle said residents had collected about R20 000 to buy the material and put the balance into a community bank account. She said she told them that she had no money. A few minutes later, she said, a group of residents arrived and started assaulting and insulting her.
Ms Kethabahle said she asked to call the entire leadership before she could hand over the money. But they refused and continued to assault her until she handed over the money.
“I had no choice but to give them the money. They physically assaulted and insulted me,” she said. “I have fled the area. My shack was demolished and all my possessions stolen. Some residents came to my rescue. If it was not for them I could be dead now,” she said.
Fezeka Mavela, who was elected as secretary of the community steering committee, said her house had been used as a community hall and the books were kept there.
The 43-year-old mother of four said she received a phone call while she was at work on Thursday afternoon, from one of the community leaders informing her that her house had been destroyed.
Ms Mavela said she imme
diatelyreturned home and found that her clothes and furniture had already been stolen. She said she was forced to flee the area.
Ms Mavela said she was among the people who came up with the plan so that they could hire people to install the taps and other services. She said the books and slips which had been kept to account for how the money had been used, had also been destroyed. “I have no idea why these people demolished our homes instead of calling a meeting and getting clarity,” she said.
Ms Mavela said she had taken out a loan to buy the furniture which was stolen from her. “I’m still paying for things that are damaged. And I’m now forced to find another place to live. Emotionally I am not feeling well. I heard people saying that they had seen my things being sold around the area,” she said.
Ms Mavela said they opened a case at Khayelitsha police station but added that they had received little support from police. Despite numerous attempts, Vukani was unable to get a response from Khayelitsha police station’s station commander, Brigadier Mkuseli Nkwitshi.