Last-minute mass eviction halted
On Friday, more than 200 residents staged a peaceful demonstration, demanding to be allocated free plots and for the municipality to negotiate with Groenewald to purchase his property and donate it to residents.
NAMPA
TSUMEB
An eviction order that would have seen more than 3 000 residents of Endombo compound in Tsumeb lose their homes today was suspended by the municipality council at the last minute on Friday.
The eviction court order was stopped following a meeting between the property owner, Christoffel Hermanus Groenewald, and the Tsumeb municipality.
Endombo compound was the property of Tsumeb Corporation Limited (TCL), which mined copper at Tsumeb years ago, before it was sold to Ongopolo Weatherly Mine and later to Dundee Precious Metals.
A disagreement between the residents and Groenewald began in 2015 after some residents failed to pay rent and were ordered to vacate the area, which they refused to do, saying they have nowhere to go.
In 2017, the majority of the tenants failed to pay and Groenewald dragged them to court, which ruled in his favour this November.
The court ruling was accompanied by an eviction order due today.
Residents protest
On Friday morning, more than 200 residents staged a peaceful demonstration, handing over a petition to the newly elected deputy mayor, Anmire Garises.
The residents demanded they be allocated free plots and for the municipality to negotiate with Groenewald to purchase his property and donate it to them.
The municipal officials met with Groenewald, and the meeting concluded with the suspension of the eviction order until further notice.
TSUMEB
An eviction order that would have seen more than 3 000 residents of Endombo compound in Tsumeb lose their homes today was suspended by the municipality council at the last minute on Friday.
The eviction court order was stopped following a meeting between the property owner, Christoffel Hermanus Groenewald, and the Tsumeb municipality.
Endombo compound was the property of Tsumeb Corporation Limited (TCL), which mined copper at Tsumeb years ago, before it was sold to Ongopolo Weatherly Mine and later to Dundee Precious Metals.
A disagreement between the residents and Groenewald began in 2015 after some residents failed to pay rent and were ordered to vacate the area, which they refused to do, saying they have nowhere to go.
In 2017, the majority of the tenants failed to pay and Groenewald dragged them to court, which ruled in his favour this November.
The court ruling was accompanied by an eviction order due today.
Residents protest
On Friday morning, more than 200 residents staged a peaceful demonstration, handing over a petition to the newly elected deputy mayor, Anmire Garises.
The residents demanded they be allocated free plots and for the municipality to negotiate with Groenewald to purchase his property and donate it to them.
The municipal officials met with Groenewald, and the meeting concluded with the suspension of the eviction order until further notice.
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