Sydenham protest costs garage owner R30 000
The owner of a petrol station in Sydenham says her business will be offline for the next two weeks after angry residents from the Howell Estate allegedly damaged her property during protest action yesterday.
Ashika Teja says initial assessments indicate R30 000 will be needed to repair fuel pumps and have electricity restored to the facility.
"[Those] who came to the garage, it was guys on the premises they vandalised the entire garage.
"They were trying to cut the petrol hoses topple over the pumps to obtain fuel. I've got ATM on the premises as well they threw bottles and stuff at the ATM," she said.
Also read: Howell Estate eviction called off
Residents from Howell Estate say they had initially been given until today to pay R1800 to avoid being evicted.
But the eviction was put on hold late yesterday afternoon, pending a meeting on Monday between the Human Settlements' Rapid Response Task Team and all parties involved.
Residents claim they moved in over a decade ago, understanding the housing plan was on a rent-to-own basis.
(Photo: Chanelle Lutchman)