MEDIA RELEASE

Inquiries: Tatu Mhlaba Nxasana Cell 0739180102 Mongezi S. Nkomo Cell 0791244513

Subject: Residents and Tenants tired of Public Works betrayal of ACCORD & illicit evictions!

Date: Friday July 04, 2014

From: Neighborhood Action Committee of Zone 7 Govt Flats & Across the Street (NAC Zone7)

The Property Management, middle and junior staff, in the Amathole Region, Dept. of Roads & Public Works , Eastern Cape are still illicitly evicting people. We had a January 27, 2014 “Hanker Accord”

This is a uncivil and heinous deed of throwing out families during cold winter people. This is done for a second time in this neighborhood, despite a call by Honorable Cabinet Minister Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, to all government entities to stop unilateral actions and to “cease and desist” the inhumane evictions of residents and tenants out of ANY government owned property .

Today, Friday July 04, 2014, a combined Executive Committee and Task Force team of delegates of NAC Z one 7 delivered a memorandum in Bhisho, at the General Manager, Ms Phucuka Malgas, Property Division, Eastern Cape provincial government. We left also additional background information to have a holistic analysis. This will show why people have lost faith in the Amathole Region Property Management HQ in East London.

Yesterday, Thursday July 03, 2014 an explosive situation was averted when an official from the Amathole Regional Property office, accompanied by SAPS from our local Zwelitsha Police Station, a private security guard crew and a locksmith began evicting occupants from the rooms in one Flat. When confronted by NACZone7 to produce an official letter or court order they had nothing.

The SAPS after consulting with NAC Zone 7 functionaries understood this was abuse of their mandate “to serve and protect” ordinary and poor citizens and residents. Another Lwandle, Western Cape was averted! But it was clear that the “tendering” private security guard had been ordered to evict four tenants. SAPS commander prevailed of the private security and the Property Maintenance staff from East London.

WE humbly gave Ms Phucuka Malgas seven (7) days to respond as our community is boiling with anger!

Both the Executive Committee and Task Force are going to address OUR RESIDENTS and Tenants on a “WAY FORWARD” and the “Neighborhood Jobs for Peace and Justice Campaign! SUNDAY 3pm, July 06 2014. This will be done at regular COMMUNITY FREEDOM SQUARE Zone 7 Flats, Zwelitsha Eastern Cape.