CoCT probing allegations that residents are being mistreated on city-owned land

The City of Cape Town said it's investigating allegations of mistreatment against residents by a private security company guarding city-owned land in Mfuleni.

Residents of Phola Park in Mfuleni have raised concerns about the presence of Red Ants private security guards in their community.

They are accusing the security officers, who've been stationed in the area for the past three years, of harassing them and kicking down their makeshift toilets.

ALSO READ: Mfuleni residents protest against 'heavy-handed Red Ant Security guards'

The informal settlement came into existence in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many struggled to find accommodation.

According to the local ward councillor, Mongezi Madikane, the city-owned land that the Phola Park informal settlement is built on is earmarked to house 800 families from Mfuleni.

It is also land meant for two new schools to benefit Mfuleni and the surrounding areas.

Angry residents of the informal settlement took their frustrations to the streets last Friday, protesting the deployment of the Red Ants and the demolition of their informal structures.

The community wants Red Ant Security to focus only on guarding the school property and to stay away from their homes.

However, Madikane told residents that they cannot allow the security company to move and further risk the illegal invasion of the entire land meant for housing and school developments.