Friday, November 09, 2012

Blog 11: People in S. AFrica thrown out of their homes


Homelessness does not just exist in the US but is a widespread epidemic across the world. In this article homes were taken right form under people due to legalities and insensitivity. This took place in Lenasia, South Africa just southwest of Johannesburg. Bulldozers moved in on this town on Friday and begin taking down houses. People were removed from their homes just before their homes were torn to pieces. The reason behind all the destruction is due to these houses being illegally built and sold on land that was meant for government houses. Apparently, fraudsters sold several lots for prices ranging between 200$ and 10,000$ with phony deeds. The streets were crowded with protestors in opposition of the demolition to these people’s houses. It had a testimony in it about a 25yr old man who received a 7 day notice of his house being torn down and now he will be living on the street.  In one instance a woman and her baby were removed from their home right before it was demolished. Three of the people responsible for the fraud were arrested but the lengths they went to commit fraud were far beyond breaking one law. They forged signatures and stole letterheads to con these people into homes. Not only did they place these people in a horrible situation to have their homes taken away, they also placed a bad stigma on their government. The community y is outraged and saddened by their homes being ripped from under them. I feel as though this is an issue that comes back to moral which often collides with government. They are blaming the government for their loss and relocation to the streets and the government is blaming the fraudulent perpetrators. Fault is to be had on both sides but shelter in a must for humans and  there may have been another way to address the issue instead of tearing down over 100 homes putting families, children, grandparents, and babies on their street.

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2012/11/09/safrica-police-destroy-illegal-homes

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