By Tsoanelo Sefoloko originally published on GroundUp
IN SUMMARY:
- Date and Event: On Monday, residents from Shaka’s Head informal settlement marched to Kwadukuza municipal offices in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Organizers: The protest was organized by Abahlali baseMjondolo.
- Demands: The residents demanded access to toilets, water, and electricity.
- Community Leader’s Statement: Ntombikhaya Ludziya highlighted the lack of basic services, saying, “The living conditions in the area are difficult because we don’t have basic services.”
- Municipality Recognition: Ludziya mentioned the desire for recognition from the Ilembe District Municipality and the provision of housing and basic services.
- Election Promises: He stated, “Every election period they make all sorts of promises. We have been living in shacks for many years. The promise they always make is that they will build RDP houses. But in the end, they don’t do that.”
- Fear of Evictions: Resident Thembisa Zuma expressed concern about potential evictions, saying, “We are always worried that the municipal officials will arrive and demolish our shacks.” Her shack was demolished last month.
- Abahlali baseMjondolo President’s Statement: Sbu Zikode called for an end to forced removals, stating, “It is not enough that many of us remain in deep poverty, without jobs and without hope for a better future; the municipality is always forcefully removing us from the land of our ancestors.”
- Response from Municipality: Mbongeni Zondi, from the office of the Speaker, accepted a memorandum on behalf of the mayor.
- Municipality’s Denial: Kwadukuza municipality spokesperson Sifiso Zulu denied that there had been evictions but mentioned that the municipality was seeking a court order to evict the residents, stating that Shaka’s Head land was not zoned as a residential area.
