Disgruntled residents of Lakehaven Estates had Centre Road on lockdown in a protest voicing their frustrations against what they call illegal evictions by low-cost housing company, First Metro on Tuesday, 25 May.
The residents blockaded the road with burning tyres and rubble in a peaceful protest against evictions. The residents claim that most of them lost their jobs due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and cannot afford rent, but the housing company is ‘kicking’ them out of their homes in the cold winter days. The frustrated residents handed a memorandum of understanding to First Metro representatives on Thursday, 20 May. They also signed a petition against the illegal evictions. Among their grievances, the residents demand to know why tenants are paying different rentals for units that are the same size. They are demanding that there be a ‘set rate’ as the units are the same size.
They also claim that First Metro Housing does not maintain the flats, and that security guards are not equipped to handle criminals and they are afraid to assist in break-ins which take place frequently at their homes. Some tenants claim to be paying eThekwini Municipality for their water bill while some said they pay First Metro Housing Company for water and yet claim that the water money was collected by First Metro prior to moving into the units. Chairperson of Human Settlements and Infrastructure in eThekwini, Councillor Thanduxolo Sabelo addressed the angry crowd on Tuesday outside the estate. “We do not want anyone to be evicted which is why we are trying to solve this issue. The residents are raising legitimate issues which need to be resolved by the two parties. We need to find a way to deal with the residents’ issues and map a way forward as we do not want anyone to be moved out of their homes,” said Cllr Sabelo.
Board member of First Metro Housing Company, Thulani Mthethwa said the evictions that were meant to happen, will be halted until discussions with residents and First Metro are done and an agreement is reached. Mother of two, Kamla Naidoo said she lost her job due to the lockdown and cannot afford to pay the full month’s rent anymore. “Where will my family and I go to now? I live with my 73-year-old mother, two children and my husband. We have nowhere else to go, surely these evictions are illegal and cannot be allowed,” she said. Another resident, Avishkar Sunker, whose rent is also in arrears said he is being evicted because he cannot afford rent anymore. “Due to Covid-19, most tenants have lost their jobs, and some are working part-time and cannot afford steep rentals.
“The housing company should reduce the rental rather than impose an increase in the rental or evict tenants. I have been living here for 13 years and it is not fair to ‘kick’ me out now because I cannot afford the increased rental. I earn R4 200 per month and I was ordered by First Metro to pay R3 900 per month, which is an increase to my initial rental. They are not considering my other expenses. How will I afford food and other essentials if more than half of my salary goes to rent,” said Sunker. Director of Poor Flat Dwellers Movement, Maureen Rambhadursing said First Metro Housing is not using the correct way to evict the residents, therefore the evictions are unlawful. “The evictions by First Metro Housing are unlawful and wrong. Proper notice needs to be given to the residents. Some residents are leaving the premises because they are not aware of their rights and they are thinking it is the right thing to do. The company cannot ask people to leave their homes in this manner especially during the lockdown period,” she said.
