PRESS RELEASE
NO EMBARGO
15 May 2024
AL JAMA-AH fights for a Stay in Execution on the sale of the Zerelda Steyn Hall in Ruyterwacht and calls for a Commission of Enquiry into Communicare:
Al Jama-ah Party is currently fighting alongside the community in a High Court battle for its survival and protection. Winning the first-round battle to save the Zerelda Steyn Hall in Ruyterwacht from being auctioned off, Al Jama-ah – who is one of the applicants – recognizes a systematic plan to sell off the community assets in chunks to large corporates, displacing hundreds of vulnerable members from the community and alienating those remaining from important amenities.
The court has set a date for 10 June 2024 for a full hearing of the matter. Members of the Ruyterwacht Action Committee held a protest earlier this week to expose Communicare for putting the community hall on auction and for evicting tenants.
Tenants who have been living in these dwellings for several decades, have been issued with eviction orders by Communicare and the property developers. According to tenants, Communicare has been selling off rental stock that forms part of a mandated social housing scope, to property developers at a much-reduced price than offered to tenants. Contrary to reports by Communicare, many of these lessees are paid up with their rent and are in good standing.
“Al Jama-ah will continue to fight for decent homes for our communities. The Ruyterwacht community have been deceived and their rights to become home-owners, and to be protected from mass displacement, will be defended. Any other outcome would be unfair and unjust. We are calling for an enquiry into Communicare’s questionable activities on the transferring of property of which they were not the rightful owners of,” says Hon Ganief Hendricks the party’s leader and Member of Parliament.
For media interviews contact:
Ms Sinazo Mtshengu
Cell: 078 512 3186 or
Ms Nisa Siers:
082 613 1917
Cell: 078 512 318