East London demolitions leave hundreds homeless, court summons City Manager

By Thapelo Molefe

Almost 100 families in Ward 31, East London, have been left homeless after the large-scale demolition of brick houses and informal structures in eBhongweni and surrounding areas this week, an operation now under urgent scrutiny by the East London High Court.

More than 30 brick homes and over 50 shacks were reduced to rubble in less than 48 hours, with residents watching as years of savings, possessions and memories were destroyed.

Families, including children, elderly people and the unemployed, were left sleeping outside with no alternative accommodation in place.

The humanitarian crisis was further compounded on Tuesday when demolitions in the nearby Bompini informal settlement, also on land linked to the broader Agricultural Research Council (ARC) eviction process, were abruptly halted after allegations that the sheriff had been using the wrong court order. 

Residents said they had laid criminal complaints with police, with some accusing officials of acting