The power of praying together
Residents prayed and hoped together like brothers and sisters since 2008 when they illegally occupied RDP houses in extension 5- Riemvasmaak.
EDEN PARK – They kept to their prayer sessions regardless of race, colour or religion. “Our prayers are answered. The eviction order by Ekurhuleni metro council has failed,”said Minah Booysens.
On Tuesday, November 26 the supreme court of appeal in Bloemfontein upheld the conclusion of the high court – JHB that it would not be just and equitable to order the eviction of the illegal occupants of Riemvasmaak- extension 5.
The appeal was accordingly dismissed with costs.
The supreme court of appeal (SCA) held that in respect of the allocation of houses in Eden Park to beneficiaries, there were two different policies and sets of criteria in place which rendered arbitrary criteria and compromised the allocation process.
That meant that the EMM and Department of Housing may have been in breach of their constitutional and legislative obligation to provide adequate housing and had displayed uncertainty and confusion as to the identity of those persons who were to be evicted.
The outcome of the appeal case was also a victory for former DA councillor William Jarvis who fought endlessly to stop the eviction and the relocating of the occupants to tents in Tsakane-Springs.
Like a lonely voice in the desert, Jarvis fought against the eviction process until his removal from office. His prayers have also been answered. The power of prayer.
