Memorandum of Demands to the Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal Dr. Zweli Mkhize and Cllr Themba Mtshali – Delivered by a March on the Offices of Themba Mtshali on Friday, 7 December 2012

We, the residents, men and women, of Ward 23 and members of the Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement SA in KwaZulu-Natal are democrats committed to the flourishing of this country. We speak for ourselves and direct our own struggle. We have been mobilized by our own suffering and our hope for a better future.

It is time to take seriously the fact that land is a serious problem in our country. It is time to take seriously that land was stolen from our ancestors and that this has impoverished us. It is time to take seriously that housing development in this city is a corrupt mess that does not just leave us without houses or services but has also terrorized our communities.

For too long politicians, including Mtshali, as well as some civil society organisations and others with power have been treating us with disrespect and indignity. We are determined to restore our dignity.

For too long Mtshali has been playing hide and seek with us, avoiding us. We demand that he engage us with respect and dignity. This is Not just an issue of service delivery. It is also about democracy, governance from below and dignity.

For too long Abahlali baseMjondolo have been subjected to state repression, displacement, evictions, arrests, beatings, torture and death threats. We demand the right to organise freely and without fear.

For too long Themba Mtshali and his armed bodyguards have been terrorizing us without regard for our humanity, our citizenship or the rule of law. He has lied to our communities with no respect for the shack dwellers and the poor. Mtshali has failed the residents of Ward 23.

For too long the provision of basic services has been denied to us. We demand the provision of all basic services such as water and sanitation, electricity, road access, refuse collection etc.

For too long the Promised Land and housing have become the lies of every new councillor that comes in to place. We demand an end to the lies and the beginning of an open, honest and democratic partnership between the people and the government that can drive development from below.

For too long the commercial value of land here in eThekwini and many other areas has been put before its social value. We demand that the social value of land come before its commercial value.

For too long we have been living under constant threats of eviction in our own country. We demand an immediate end to all evictions. We demand land security.

For too long the right to the cities has been denied to the shack dwellers and the poor in this country. We demand the right to live in cities.

For too long the right to decent housing has been turned into forced removal to transit camps. We demand an end to all amathini. They are Not meant for Human habitation.

For too long those of us whose houses were flooded by storm remain homeless and vulnerable without Mtshali’s aid.

For too long local jobs have been only given to ANC members. In Ward 23 jobs only go to Mtshali's volunteers, that is those who campaigned for him, and to Mtshali’ friends.

For too long we have been subjected to crimes in the shacks. We demand safe homes and communities like respectable citizens.

For too long our communities do not have crèches for our kids and community halls. We demand that crèches and community be made available to us.

We are prepared to fight for these rights in courts and in the streets. Just like people around the country are concerned about the Marikana massacre, we demand that the government at all levels immediately come to the aid of the affected families and meet the demands of all struggling workers.

Just as people around the city, the country and world are uniting in support of our struggle we express our support for our comrades in Marikana, on the farms in the Western Cape and elsewhere.

If this memorandum is received without conscious Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement SA will consider engaging in non-stopping protests.

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To follow up Please contact Miss Ntombemhlophe Zothwa on 083 2181934 or Eric on 083 6891208 or Miss Bandile Mdlalose on 071 4242815