White house of terror torn down
City moves thug den occupants
Women and children evicted from the infamous two-storey property, popularly known as “white house”, in Sunnyside, Pretoria, have been offered alternative accommodation after it was flattened yesterday.
The residents had claimed they had nowhere to go as the city demolished the crime-infested building situated along Nelson Mandela Drive.
The derelict property which is owned by the City of Tshwane was apparently home to 94 people, including two pregnant women and four children.
Karen Meyer, the member of the mayoral committee responsible for community safety and emergency services, said the building was no longer fit for human occupation.
“The city’s social development department will organise for 40 women and children who have indicated that they’re willing to move to a place of safety,” Meyer said.
She said they complied with the law by giving residents at the building a 48 hours notice before bringing down the house which she said had been taken over by criminal elements.
When an excavator started knocking down the two-storey building yesterday morning, young women waited outside with all their belongings, some sipping wine as they pondered their next move.
The building, which had been their home, had become an infamous thug den which also housed prostitutes who operate around Sunnyside.
The building had been abandoned by the city for more than 10 years, but still had running water despite its electricity being disconnected.
Laila Williamson, 26, who is 32 weeks pregnant, said she couldn’t accept any assistance that did not include her unemployed husband, Areshaad.
“My husband and I cannot be separated,” Laila said.
Frans Kekana, from Mokopane in Limpopo, who has been living in the property for 10 years, said he had nowhere to go.
Kekana’s eight months pregnant wife sat next to their belongings which included a mattress, one plate paraffin stove, a bag with their clothes and a few pots which were huddled outside the property’s gate.
Residents living in flats near the white house were in a celebratory mood yesterday when it was being flattened.
Annah du Pont, who lives in a flat adjacent to the white house, said: “My son was mugged so many times by people who lived here. I’m happy that the house is being demolished.”
Local councillor Lindelani Mulaudzi said the building had been a big problem for years due to criminals who had turned it into their haven.
“Just last week, a woman dragged from the streets and was gang-raped by 11 men at this house. Unisa students get robbed on daily basis,” Mulaudzi said.