PRESS RELEASE: Court orders City of Tshwane to rebuild Bronkhorstspruit homes after illegal eviction

Lawyers for Human Rights and the City of Tshwane have come to an agreement regarding the illegal eviction of over 200 families from Bronkhorstspruit last month.

It has been agreed that the City of Tshwane will rebuild the demolished homes within the next 10 days. They must also return the belongings that were confiscated during the eviction.

LHR launched an urgent application last week to have the City rehouse those evicted illegally.

“Hopefully the city will now start to deal with the serious lack of available housing in a constructive manner rather than unlawfully evicting people who are already in precarious situations and have no other option but to live in informal settlements.” said LHR’s Nathaniah Jacobs.

Last month, the City gave notice to residents that they would be evicted in terms of a non-existent law the Prevention of Illegal Land Invasion Act, in terms of which it could “instanter” demolish and remove the residents’ homes. Soon after, demolitions were carried out.