JOHANNESBURG - Residents at the Albert Luthuli informal settlement in Benoni are left in limbo.
The demolition of the settlement by the City of Ekurhuleni continues under SANDF and metro police guard. Around 400 structures have been demolished.
Residents say they were not served with eviction notices and have been left homeless.
They are now worried about survival after being left out in the cold.
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What started as a multi-disciplinary operation to deal with illegal mining at the Chief Albert Luthuli informal settlement has turned into an eviction, displacing the residents.
As the demolition continues under the guard of soldiers, some displaced residents are picking up the pieces to salvage what's left. But the SA Human Rights Commission said this eviction is illegal, as a court order has not been obtained.
Is said it was engaging the City of Ekurhuleni on the matter. In a series of posts on X, City of Ekurhuleni said the area has been declared unsuitable for human habitation as it is situated on a wetland.
It said alternative accommodation is being provided within a 5km radius for legitimate beneficiaries who were originally placed in Albert Luthuli by the City in 2014.
"About 110 families have been confirmed as legitimate beneficiaries qualifying for alternative accommodation," the City said on X.