Chaos erupted in Boitekong in the early hours of this Friday morning when more than 500 informal structures were demolished by Rustenburg Local Municipality in the North West assisted by private security and police, leaving families homeless.
Residents say they were woken by bulldozers at around 3am as shacks built on municipal land opposite Boitekong Police Station were flattened.
The demolition follows allegations that Ward 40 councillor, Joseph Qobeka, illegally sold stands on municipal land to desperate residents, sparking anger and shock within the community.
One of the affected residents, Thabang Mokua, told a Sechaba Times reporter that he paid R1 500 for a stand, believing the transaction was legitimate because it was allegedly facilitated by a sitting councillor.
It is further alleged that the councillor may have pocketed more than R700 000 from the illegal sale of the stands.
Community members say no criminal case has yet been opened, as some of the councillor’s alleged associates promised victims that their money would be refunded.
They are also appealing to Qobeka to come forward and explain how refunds will be settled.
Aaccording to the local reporter attempts to obtain comment from Qobeka were unsuccessful at the time of publication.