http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4780755

Anti Eviction Campaign urges poor to boycott elections

January 05, 2009 Edition 1

Aziz Hartley

THE Anti Eviction Campaign is planning to launch a national campaign calling on voters to boycott the general elections because, it says, the government has failed the poor and politicians cannot be trusted.

Mncedisi Twalo, a leader of the organisation in Gugulethu, said the campaign slogan would be, "No land, no house, no jobs - no votes".

"We have been preparing for months and talking to our alliance partners, Abhahali Base Mjondolo in KwaZulu-Natal and the Homeless People's Movement in Gauteng.

(This is the full version of an article first published in The Weekender.)

Holding onto Paradise

The proposed development of eMacambini will destroy the life of a rich rural community as well as one of KZN's most beautiful landscapes, writes Peter Machen

If you drive up the North Coast of KwaZulu Natal, you'll see what was once little than a series of small seaside towns gradually morphing into something that increasingly looks like Jo'burg. Currently the twin epicentres of this urban spread are Umhlanga and Ballito, but the virus is spreading around the province. It has already filled the once semi-rural suburbs of Hillcrest and Waterfall with strip malls and gated communities and threatens to take up wherever there is a beautiful view waiting to be destroyed.

21 December 2008

50 Shacks Burn in Kennedy Road

About 50 shacks burnt in the Kennedy Road settlement last night. This is the 8th fire in the settlement this year.

The fire started when a candle was knocked over just after midnight. So far there are no reports of major injuries. The fire brigade, as is now (after years of struggle) routine arrived quickly and provided a good service. We appreciate that. We trust that the Municipality will, as they began doing this year (after years of struggle), support the people who have lost their homes with building materials.

Latest from Siyanda: 64 Families Remain in their Homes & Refuse Eviction to “Transit Camp” Under Heavy Police Presence

In the early morning of December 11, 2008, police vans, trucks and cars – estimated six in total – pulled into Siyanda, KwaMashu, to carry out the eviction of 66 families to make way for the new MR577 Freeway. Approximately 10 police, armed with batons and pistols, reportedly went door-to-door with a representative from Linda Masinga & Associates, to each of the 66 families’ shacks. With bulldozers and transport trucks standing by, the eviction team asked each family if they would be willing to be relocated to an area “transit camp.” As had already been officially communicated to the MEC of Transport who is seeking the eviction, all but two families refused.

Click here to read this speech in English.

Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement SA.
14 December 2008

Inkulumo Emuva koMhlangano Wonyaka Ka-2008, ngu-Baba u-S’bu. Zikode

Isingeniso

Bahlali njengoba sonke sazi ukuthi sisuka esikhathini esinzima kanganani, nesehlukile kakhulu kwesejwayelekile eMbuthweni wethu esiwuthanda kakhulu. Umbutho okuthe amandla awo aphoqelela bonke abantu abahlala eMjondolo ukuthi bame ndawonye futhi basho ngezwi elilodwa ukuvikela ilungelo lethu lokuhlala emadolobheni.

The right to basic services in informal settlements: Notes on Harry Gwala High Court hearing 12 December 2008

Harry Gwala is an informal settlement of some 800 households occupying mainly municipal land adjacent to Wattville in Ekurhuleni. Currently it has no refuse removal, no lighting, only inadequate home-made pit latrines as toilets, and only 6 communal taps.

In October 2008, Harry Gwala applied, through the High Court, for installation of basic services. For every household in the settlement to be in a 200m radius of a communal tap, as set out in the Water Services Act, an additional 7 taps are needed in this settlement. The same Act requires one toilet per informal household. This could be ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines or chemical toilets. Further, refuse collection is required for reasons of health and hygiene, and high mast lighting for basic safety and night-time access for emergency vehicles. Harry Gwala’s legal representatives, Moray Hathorn of Webber Wentzel and Advocate Roshnee Mansingh of Maisels Chambers, argue that the current situation at Harry Gwala is unconstitutional. They set out a three-fold application based on constitutional rights, statutory rights (as set out in the Water Services Act) and policy (Chapters 12 and 13 of the Housing Code).

Abahlali baseMjondolo of the Western Cape

No 28 Ramaphosa Street
Site B Khayelitsha
7784

email address: abmwesterncape@abahlali.org www.khayelitshastruggles.com

City of Cape Town

RE: Letter to the Mayor

Dear Madam Mayor

This letter follows the meeting that you have schedule for the 22nd November 2008 with ABM Western Cape 'Khayelitsha' which took place at Site B Community Hall,and the meeting followed the Memorandum which was submitted to you on the 23rd October 2008.

Sunday, 07 December 2008
Siyanda Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement

Transport MEC Bheki Cele Threatens 61 Families in Siyanda with Forced Removal to one of the Notorious "Transit Camps"

Mama Nxumalo speaking at the meeting against forced removals, 7 December 2008

On Saturday the Sheriff of the Court served a letter from the State Attorney on 61 families in Siyanda, KwaMashu. This letter instructs us to leave our homes by 16h00 this Tuesday, 9 December. More than 300 hundred people in our community are now at risk of forced removal to the notorious ‘transit camps’.

Tuesday, 02 December 2008

Arnett Drive Resident Shot With Live Ammunition, by Securicor Guard

Nomhle Mkhetho, Thokozani Mkhotli & Nikiwe Zondi

On Tuesday last week (25/11) Thokozani Mkhotli, from the Arnett Drive settlement in Reservoir Hills, was shot by a Securicor Guard with live ammunition. The bullet entered his left buttock and emerged lower down in the front of his left thigh. The trajectory of the bullet shows clearly that he was shot from behind and from above. Thokozani is 33. He is from Bizana and works as a builder's labourer fixing ceilings.

http://www.khayelitshastruggles.com/2008/11/big-threat-to-informal-settlements.html

The Big Threat to Informal Settlements

by Mzonke Poni

More than 50% of people who do not have houses in South Africa are living at informal settlements, and informal settlements have been viewed as a step towards getting a house in South Africa.

Most people when getting to the City from rural areas, most of the time when they come they'll first squat (live) with their friend, family members or relatives, while they are still looking for a work but once they get a job the first thing that they will think about is to get their own place first so that they can have their own space or privacy. Most of the time people view this option as the best option to jump the queue from the housing list as they know that if they bought a house at informal settlement and when the area is being relocated or being developed they will also benefit as they also owned a house from the area and this most of the time create problem between people who are coming out side the City and with people who have been in the City longer or people who have been born in the City but does not have a house.