ALI MPHAKI
FEAR and anxiety have gripped residents of the Walter Sisulu Square flats in Kliptown following the eviction of five families.
A number of families have boycotted the rent payments for the flats since early last year, demanding that they be given title deeds for the properties.
The flats were built by the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) in 2006, and residents were promised that after four years of occupation the properties would be transferred into their names.
The Star was shown copies of the original agreement stipulating the transfer of ownership to the renters after four years of occupation.
Among those evicted was Celest Roberts, 37, who has been living in the two-bedroom flat previously rented by her sister, who has since died.
Roberts has been living in the flat with two of her sister’s children, aged 13 and eight.
She broke down when she was asked where they were going to spend the night.
Joshco’s Celiwe Nkosi was not available for comment.