The protest planned by the Ruyterwacht Community Association (RCA) which had Ruyterwach residents ready to march was cancelled recently.
This transpired after there were quite a few social media posts about the protest, “so it was quite public.
“I was sent a ‘poster’ from a journalist about the planned protest,” Neeran Naidoo, who assists Communicare with media relations, says.
It is alleged that the protest was going to be about evictions by Communicare in the Ruyterwacht area.
Communicare was aware of the protest organised by the organisation and told TygerBurger that most vacated properties are in a sales process, some needing upgrades before they are sold. Unfortunately, some units have fallen victim to criminals.
“These tenants are guilty of years of non-payment despite being able to pay. This puts the organisation in an untenable situation. The organisation depends on rental income to continue its operations and invest in more affordable housing. Rental boycotts and non-payment will not be tolerated. Communicare will pursue legal action to recover all arrears,” says Makhosi Kubheka, COO at Communicare.
Criminal activity
According to Kubheka, Communicare takes decisive action when faced with criminal activity, building hijacking and illegal occupation of its premises.
The planned protest follows criminal activity after a tenant, and prominent member of the RCA, acquired keys to a vacant house and illegally rented the property to an unsuspecting woman.
The offender claimed to represent Communicare. The organisation has no option but to pursue legal action to reclaim its property, stop criminal activity and protect the community. Kubheka says.
Upon enquiry, the chair of the RCA, Mandi Zamile, says she has no comment about the planned protest, why it was cancelled and refused to elaborate on the statements made by Communicare.
