The residents of RJ Mansions in Longbury, Phoenix, are crying out for help after windows and doors to their homes were removed, due to falling behind on their rent at the social housing complex.
Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid Imtiaz Perumal, a resident, said: “A group of 17 men came here and removed our belongings and threatened our wives and children. One tenant from the block of flats downstairs had his doors and windows removed while they ruthlessly kicked him out of his home in the presence of his family and other residents of the complex. Another six residents had their windows bust, broken and removed. People are now living with card boxes and plastics on their windows.”
To plead their case and make their cries heard, the residents on Tuesday took to the streets in protest of what they call inhumane action and a violation of their basic rights. “These houses were built for low income families, but the landlords are now more interested in making profit more than anything. We just want someone to listen to us, hear our plight instead of kicking us out on the streets. We acknowledge that we are in arrears but all we are asking is for all parties to reason,” said Perumal.
According to the residents the men of this complex have now decided to take turns in taking time off from work to protect the families that are now living in fear of forceful evictions. He said on average people are owing about R100 000 and were told to pay 30% by the first day of the week and the remaining 70% by the end of the week, which was impossible for the struggling communities.
“Many people here fell on hard times during the hard lockdown, some managed to recover and are paying their rent but many of us didn’t which resulted in us falling into arrears. We have tried to make payment arrangements through an attorney but their demands were still too high and unaffordable for single parent homes and those who are unemployed or employed on a contract basis. A person who earns R4000 cannot afford a payment arrangement of R3500, on grounds such as these, they evict people which is totally unfair,” said Perumal.
Another resident who did not want to be named, in fear of victimisation, said she was manhandled by one of the men who were removing tenants belongings. “I was manhandled by one of the men while trying to explain that my case is currently in court and they had no right taking my stuff or breaking my windows. My son was also injured with a ladder by one of the men. We fear for our safety, we don’t know if these big sized men will come back for us or what they will do next,” she said.
The resident said she has always been up to date with her rent until recently when they began having financial constraints due to unemployment. “My husband just recently got back on his feet. He is employed as a contract worker and only earns R4000. Our rent is R4150, without water and lights. How are we expected to survive when his salary is below our rental fees. We are living hand to mouth and it’s really difficult for us. We have nowhere else to go if we get evicted,” said the resident.
Councillor Moulana Tariq Mohamed, who has been assisting the families, said cases of damage to property have been opened against the people who removed the doors and windows to the properties. He said they are also in the process of assisting in getting an imicable solution with the landlords.
“Both parties have legal teams and some cases are currently in court, whereby payment arrangements are being negotiated between the parties. With that said, I do not condone the manner in which this entire matter unfolded and hopefully a resolution will be reached soon,” said Cllr Mohamed.
Despite numerous attempts and efforts, the owners of RJ Mansions could not be reached for comments. The police confirmed that investigations are underway in relation to the cases of damage to property.
