Evictions halted in Hammanskraal

Mashatile made the announcement following a meeting with community leaders on Wednesday afternoon. 

It comes after two days of violent protests. The protests claimed the lives of two people on Monday. 

Mashatile said there is a genuine belief among the affected people that they did not do anything wrong when building their shacks on the vacant land.

"Looking at the history of what happened here, it is important we suspend evictions. Some residents say they had been told it had been approved for them to occupy the land," he said. 

He announced a steering committee would be set up and meet for the first time on Friday.

The committee will seek to address residents' concerns.

It will also establish who has been living on the land so they get preference when the land is developed. 

Mashatile said the committee will also start the process of shack marking.

A community leader said residents were satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.

"At least now government understands our position and we understand the position of government," he said.

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