Mittal halts eviction of Vanderbijlpark families

Steel giant, Mittal Steel South Africa, says they will not evict the remaining four families still living in Steel Valley in Vanderbijlpark. The Steel Valley community, which comprised more than 500 families has shrunk dramatically since the steel mill was developed in the 1950s. Mittal Steel bought most of the properties after residents complained about pollution in the area.

The once thriving community now resembles a barren wasteland but today the remaining families remembered the community that once was and also vowed to fight back. The residents accuse Mittal Steel of intimidation because they refuse to move.

The steel giant denies the claims, saying it has nothing to gain from this. A resident, who believed she owned her home, has to move after Mittal Steel purchased it legally from a bank. Mittal says this resident seems to be a victim of fraud, as she apparently purchased the house from someone who had no right to sell it.

Environmental groups, like the Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance and GroundWorks, believe the families are victims of multinationals who pollute the environment.