http://www.tios.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4374356

April 26, 2008 Edition 1

CARVIN GOLDSTONE

The houses-for-votes saga in Durban took another turn yesterday after a report in an ANC Chatsworth branch newsletter called for people who did not support the ANC to be left out when the allocation of new houses takes place.

The article surfaced not long after members of the ruling party denied any link to adverts which assured people that if they voted for the ANC in an upcoming by-election they would be given houses.

The article, which appears in the latest edition of the ANC Chatsworth branch's official newsletter, The Khulisa Khronicle, suggests that ANC senior members knew very well about the houses-for-votes stance.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20070929085453605C905431

September 29 2007 at 12:13PM

Chaos erupted in the Durban suburb of Sydenham after a peaceful housing protest turned ugly as police dispersed a large crowd using water cannons, rubber bullets and baton charges on Friday.

Fifteen people, including academics Fazel Khan and Richard Pitthouse, were arrested and charged with public violence.

Police baton-charged the estimated 1 000 protesters on the command of Sydenham Police Station Commissioner Superintendent Glen Nayager after they refused to disperse when their demand to hand over their memorandum to Mayor Obed Mlaba was not met.

Available at
http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3767547

April 05, 2007 Edition 1

MEMBERS of the Kennedy Road informal settlement who are being held at Westville Prison on charges of murder have apparently gone on a hunger strike in an attempt to draw attention to their case.

This is according to residents of the settlement, who have been visiting the five awaiting-trial prisoners. However, the Correctional Services Department has been unable to confirm the hunger strike.

The five inmates were arrested in connection with the death of Mzwakhe Sithole, an Ntuzuma man who died while in police custody.

Available at http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3697066

Housing allocation welcomed

February 23, 2007 Edition 1

Carvin Goldstone

HOUSING movements have welcomed the increased Budget allowance for housing but said the problem was not the availability of money but rather that available money was not being used and officials were not being held accountable.

The government has allocated R8.8 billion for housing in the 2007/2008 financial year, R2.7 billion more than in the previous year.

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said R32 billion would be allocated for housing over the next three years.

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3576671

Protesters hurt as police fire rubber bullets

December 05, 2006 *Edition 1*

*Carvin Goldstone*

SEVERAL people were wounded yesterday when police opened fire with rubber
bullets on protesters from the Siyanda informal settlement, near Newlands,
in Durban.

The group of about 500 people had barricaded Inanda Road in protest against
construction of the new MR577 road which would necessitate the destruction
of their homes. The road will connect Newlands to Pinetown. About 10 people
were wounded by rubber bullets.

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=283&fArticleId=2970571

Frequency of shack fires sparks anger

Frustration over lack of electricity services
October 28, 2005

By Carvin Goldstone

The death of a 1-year-old baby after a shack fire caused by a knocked-over candle in the Kennedy Road informal settlement has brought into focus the lack of electricity services in Durban's informal communities.

Little Mhlengi Khumalo was severely burnt last Friday when a fire gutted 16 shacks. He was taken to King Edward Hospital, where he died the next day. The frequency of shack fires caused by falling candles has left residents of informal settlements angry with the eThekwini Municipality's apparent unhurried attitude to providing electricity.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20051115081600224C185051#jump

Durban protests erupt in violence
Carvin Goldstone
November 15 2005 at 09:00AM

Violent confrontations between police and residents of two informal settlements in Durban on Monday led to 45 people being arrested.

In Clare Estate, police baton-charged a group of about 2 000 people marching on Mayor Obed Mlaba's office over the lack of housing for residents of the Foreman Road Informal Settlement.

Several people were injured when police opened fire with rubber bullets. Durban South police spokesperson Rani John said eight people had been charged and detained. The others were later released.

The Mercury

UKZN academic accuses mayor of meddling
December 16, 2005

By Zukile Majova & Carvin Goldstone

An academic at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Centre for
Civil Society,
who has been at the forefront of protest against the perceived
slow pace of
service provision by the eThekwini Municipality, claims his
academic freedom
is being undermined.

The claim is vigorously denied by the UKZN Vice-Chancellor and
Principal,
Prof William Makgoba. The academic says he believes eThekwini
Mayor Obed
Mlaba is using his friendship with Makgoba to tinker with

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=283&fArticleId=3064151

Unpopular councillors on ANC list
January 13, 2006

By Carvin Goldstone

Despite being subjected to a barrage of housing protests and mock funerals,
two of last year's most criticised councillors will be back to stand as ward
candidates in the March local government elections. Both Ward 23 (Clare
Estate and Reservoir Hills) councillor Jayraj Bachu and Ward 25 (Sydenham)
councillor Yacoob Baig, who had been criticised by their communities and
told to resign, feature on the ANC list.

S'bu Zikode, Chairman of Abahlali Base Mjondolo, which represents 14

Clamour rises for shelter, services
September 15, 2005

By Carvin Goldstone and Michael de Vries

A march in Durban yesterday championing the plight of the poor was the first in a series of new united protests countrywide against the government's failure to provide basic services.

Close to 5 000 people marched from the Kennedy Road informal settlement to the offices of eThekwini councillor Yakoob Baig in Sydenham demanding services.

The protesters have called for Baig's resignation because of a "lack of housing and service delivery" in Sydenham and surrounding areas.

Yesterday's march, part of a protest movement that is becoming one of the biggest since the fight against apartheid, brought together a range of diverse civic society organisations from across the country in a demonstration of solidarity against the country's lack of services.