Squatters who have been building homes on railway lines say they will fight to stay on the land they grabbed more than two years ago.
Last Monday residents of Langa and Philippi were informed by Prasa to find alternative accommodation as the agency is preparing to bring back trains on the Central line.
But the Siyahlala residents say they are not moving and have decided to seek legal advice.
Community leader Qhamani Macaula says: “We are not moving from Langa because our children go to school here and some of us are working in this area.
“We don’t want to be bullied. That is why we have gone to seek legal assistance.”
“All we want is to be equipped when we have to go head-to-head with Prasa.”
He says they have been trying to get meetings with the relevant authorities, but they refused to sit down with them.
“We had 10 days to vacate the land and it expired yesterday and we were worried they would come and forcefully remove us.
“But that didn’t happen and we know that it is unlawful to evict people during Level 3 of lockdown.”
Macaula says they will find legal ways to fight Prasa’s eviction.
“We have been on this land for about three years, the trains were still running and we were never in the way.
“During the lockdown people built in the way of the trains and those we can easily remove without a problem.
“Alternatively, they can just move us to the other side of the station where there is a big field.”
Prasa did not respond to queries by time of publish.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za