In May 2005 at around 3am , the notorious Red Ants entered the squatter camps in Engelo near Boksburg in Ekurhuleni to demolish close to 700 shacks built in the area illegally.
“We didn’t know we were not allowed to build shacks here,” residents told Cosatu regional chairperson, Phutase Tseki . “We paid Bra Jabu R100 for shelter or a stand,” they said.
The municipality gave them three months notice to leave but residents complained that it was very difficult because they had bought the stands from Bra Jabu and his committee.
They only realised that the municipality did not recognise the committee when Bra Jabu and his committee disappeared on the first day the Red Ants started demolition.
Residents were forced to go back to the township or back to hostels.
Residents complained of the manner in which the Red Ants demolished their structures. One man’s artificial leg was broken when they entered his shack while another mother and her three-day old baby were left in the cold with no shelter.
“Government is supposed to act in humanity to ensure that people are treated like human beings or look for alternative shelter before taking action,” said a resident.