The backyarders did manage to occupy unoccupied flats in Langa. The first preference was given to elderly people. These people were already inside their new homes.
But then suddenly a small group of people from a nearby informal settlement attacked. We said “we are all together in the same situation of not having houses. We are not enemies”. The backyarders did not fight back and suffered serious injuries. One resident is seriously injured in Somerset hospital. Others have been taken to Guguletu and Vanguard hospitals. Journalists were also injured and were taken to hospital.
One elderly woman was lying on the ground and a lot of men were beating her. We have photos of this.
People risked their lives to get houses today. This will go down in history. Backyarders plight has been ignored for so long and this is the result. We blame the government for the injuries that we incurred today. They have failed dismally to deliver houses and shack dwellers across the country are getting desperate for a better life.
Tomorrow there is a mass meeting at Guguletu Sports Complex at 2pm to discuss the way forward.
For comment please call 078 5808646
Stumble It!
