2010-03-21 20:05
Durban – A group of KwaZulu-Natal shack dwellers on Sunday failed in a court bid forcing the city of Durban to allow them to march through the central business district.
“We are glad the court ruled in our favour. It is sad that Abahlali baseMjondolo had to use such tactics,” municipal manager Mike Sutcliffe said after the ruling by the city’s high court.
The group wanted to march though the CBD on Monday.
Sutcliffe said the city respected the group’s right to march, and that it had been granted a permit to march from Durban’s Botha Park to Albert Park on Monday.
“It is strange that they think they can do what they like in the city,” he said.
The city had to take into consideration if there were enough police to monitor the march.
Abahlali spokesperson Sbu Zikode said the shack dwellers were not happy about the court ruling.
“We will abide by the law, but we are not happy as we lost the interdict.”
The march was part of efforts by shack dwellers from Nkwalini, Siyanda, Lamontville, Wentworth and other areas in KwaZulu-Natal to express dissatisfaction about service delivery and housing.
“The shack dwellers are not happy in the way they are treated and the Ethekwini municipality does not include us in development issues,” Zikode said.
– SAPA