‘We can't surrender to criminals': Ekurhuleni mayor Xhakaza on evictions, home affairs arson attack
Speaking to the media on Tuesday at Pharoe Park, a low-cost rental complex owned by the Ekurhuleni Housing Company, Xhakaza reaffirmed the city's determination to reclaim the area as part of its urban renewal programme.
'It's about time leaders are firm, because running up and down and allowing these things to happen is what contributes to lawlessness. They wrongly occupy the housing and start doing wrong things. There's a combination of factors: lawlessness, no tough stance and noncompliance. Eventually the entire building gets into the wrong hands,' said Xhakaza.
The city said tenants at the complex failed to pay rent, prompting legal action and removals enforced by Ekurhuleni metro police.
The city accused 'building hijackers' of illegally collecting more than R1.5m a month in rent from city-owned units.
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