The Red Ants demolishes a temporary church structure

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Ward 99 Clr Gary Scallan said that before the structure was demolished, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed by the Human Settlements MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, and the Red Ants.

“According to the agreement obligations, the Red Ants are expected to carry out evictions in a manner that does not violate the dignity and human rights of those affected by the eviction, and that they will also assist with the protection of vulnerable groups in the event of an eviction,” Scallan explains.

“This did not happen yesterday when the Red Ants simply demolished the church structure and confiscated all building material (valued at some R6 000) without a court order. There wasn’t even an official from the Department of Human Settlements present, as prescribed by their agreement with the provincial department.

“It is simply shocking that the Red Ants remain a law unto themselves – with or without an agreement in place.

“The DA learnt that there was a bribe of R500 solicited so that the Red Ants will not go head with the demolition. We cannot condone any form of payment and acceptance of a bribe, and this demolition demonstrates that even a bribe carries no currency,” he said.

He added that he is appalled at the lack of communications between all parties involved, saying that the community has not been treated with dignity and their human rights have been abused.

“No-one knows where the confiscated material is being held.”

A community leader, Sibongile Thuse said: “The Red Ants came around noon and destroyed the two shacks without warning. No one said anything to us, but i heard that the Red Ants wanted a fee of R500 to avoid evictions, but they still came here and vandalised the property.”

Zodwa Mkhabela from Windmill Park said that R500 was paid, but the the Red Ants destroyed the church anyway.

The metro was contacted but no comment was received.