Residents of Thornville, Pietermaritzburg, are reeling after Eskom demolished over 100 homes built on land that is part of the power utility’s property. The evictions, which were carried out by the Red Ant Security Relocation & Eviction Services, have left many families homeless and without access to basic necessities.
Eskom’s Eviction Orders
According to Eskom’s subsidiary, the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), the company obtained three eviction orders from the Pietermaritzburg High Court last year. However, many residents claim that they were not adequately informed about the eviction notices, and some even alleged that they were misled by individuals who sold them the land.
One such resident, Mbali Mchunu, 64, said that she was not aware of any notice of eviction until the bulldozers arrived at her doorstep. ‘I did not know anything about the notice of eviction, which was only shown to me yesterday, just as they were already starting to destroy my house,’ she said. Mchunu also claimed that she was sold the land for R35,000 by an individual who has since switched off his phone.
Consequences of the Demolitions
The demolitions have not only left residents without homes but have also resulted in the loss of valuable property. Many residents have reported that thieves have stolen their building materials and other valuables from the rubble. ‘Criminals are heartless for stealing from people who have suffered by witnessing their houses being brought to the ground,’ said Mchunu.
Some of the residents have tried to salvage what is left of their belongings, but many are struggling to come to terms with their new reality. The Eskom website states that the company is committed to providing affordable and reliable electricity to all South Africans, but for the residents of Thornville, this commitment seems like a distant dream.
Here are some of the concerns raised by the residents:
- Lack of adequate warning and consultation before the evictions
- Insufficient support and compensation for the affected residents
- Failure by Eskom to prevent the sale of its land to unsuspecting buyers
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Eskom will address the concerns of the affected residents and prevent similar incidents in the future. In the meantime, the residents of Thornville are left to pick up the pieces and try to rebuild their lives.
