http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3895043

'Laws will improve horrible lives'
Shack dwellers remain sceptical about 'draconian' legislation, write Greg Arde and Stephanie Saville

June 21, 2007 Edition 1

KWAZULU-NATAL Housing Minister Mike Mabuyakhulu says shack dwellers live horrible lives, which he hopes to improve through a law that puts the brakes on slum development.

The extent of the ANC minister's empathy will be judged most keenly by the residents of the 609 squatter settlements in the province.

Mabuyakhulu has cham- pioned the Elimination and Prevention of Re-emergence of the Slums Bill, which will allow him to clamp down on "slumlords" who are capitali-sing on the poor.