Category Archives: Briardene

Man assaulted for trying to stop illegal dumpers

These people had a truck full of rubbish wanting to dump where our members live. When Thapelo approached them they started swearing at him and when he tried to take a photo he was attacked. Companies in and around Durban see shack settlements as a place where they can dump. This has caused rats as big as the cats.

Man assaulted for trying to stop illegal dumpers

NorthGlen News

A BRIARDENE Informal Settlement resident was assaulted after attempting to stop men from illegally dumping at the settlement on Wednesday afternoon. Welcome Mohapi, said he had asked the men, who were using a company vehicle to dump rubbish, what they were doing. He believe the household refuse was destined for the dump but the men decided to use the settlement instead. Continue reading →

Our lives count for nothing as we are left to die in the shacks

27 July 2016

Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement

Our lives count for nothing as we are left to die in the shacks

Rain is usually considered as a blessing. It is often considered as a gift from the Almighty and amaDlozi. During the drought we were all waiting for the rain to come. But the storms in Durban hit impoverished people, and especially shack dwellers, very hard. Peoples’ possessions and homes were damaged and destroyed. Lives were lost.

Our lives do not count as human lives to this society. It is sad and shameful that we are living the life that we are living. Continue reading →

The Struggle for Human Dignity Continues in the Shadow of Death

Friday, 12 February 2016

Abahlali basemjondolo press statement

 

The Struggle for Human Dignity Continues in the Shadow of Death

Life is always difficult in the shacks. If you are poor and black you can be killed with impunity. But it is not only the politicians and their izinkabi, or the police or private security companies that take our lives. We live in life threatening conditions every day. We die in the fires, from disease, drugs and crime. Our children die from diarrhoea. Our neighbours die because the roads next to the settlements are not made safe for pedestrians. The economy excludes us. The development of the cities excludes us. We are denied access to land, electricity, water, housing, education and work. We are also denied the right to participate in the discussions about the future of our society and in decision making about our lives and communities. Continue reading →