​Thembisa Shologu​
Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Geoff Makhubo on Wednesday, 26 August, handed over 40 housing units in Fleurhof, Soweto to their rightful owners. 
This follows the eviction of illegal occupants by the Red Ants who have occupied the units since 2017.
Speaking at the official handover, Mayor Makhubo said: "Today is the day that a promise that was made has been realised. A promise to provide the elderly, the poor, and the down trodden to have a roof over their heads. 
"I am very grateful that you have been very patient with your government, you knew that one day this day will come, that you will not leave this world without being allocated a key to your property. 
Makhubo acknowledged there was a housing backlog because the allocation of houses was a long process and warned land invaders to stop illegal invasions or they would meet the City's wrath. 
"To the syndicates who are prying on poor people, allocating them houses and selling them stands in Johannesburg, making themselves developers or estate agents of properties they don't own, or have a right to, your time is up. 
"From now until October we will be allocating a total of 21 000 houses to qualifying beneficiaries in Fleurhof and other mega projects in Lufereng.
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Housing, Mlungisi Mabaso said the people who had invaded the housing units were not on the housing waiting list.
"We are here to allocate the units to the rightful beneficiaries. We cannot allow anarchy and lawlessness in the City of Johannesburg. 
 "We know these units have been vacant for far too long but it was an issue of electricity, they are still busy building the substation but we have made provisions for temporary electrification for these units so that we can give the rightful beneficiaries their units," said MMC Mabaso.
Beneficiary, Raymond Dennis, 57, said he was happy to have his own place. 
"I am speechless. I lived in a backyard for a very long time and I am unemployed," said Dennis .