http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/township-residents-in-rdp-protest-1.1409283#.UIfLS29FyFd
Township residents in RDP protest
By Nkululeko Nene
Residents blockaded a road during a housing protest at KwaNdengezi near Pinetown. The shack dwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo say that RDP houses in the area are being unfairly allocated. Picture: Terry Haywood
Durban –
About 100 residents of KwaNdengezi township near Pinetown took to the streets on Monday to protest against what they say is the unfair allocation of RDP houses.
An SAPS officer on the scene told the Daily News that police had to clear burning tyres and debris, which residents had used to blockade the road.
The protest began early as residents demanded the eThekwini municipality stop giving newly built houses to strangers, who they say were not on the official list.
Cynthia Shozi, 36, took the day off work to join the protest.
“I felt obliged to be part of this march as these issues affect me personally. I have risked my job because I do not want to be seen as a traitor in the community,” said the mother of four.
Two months ago residents and supporters of the shack dwellers’ movement Abahlali baseMjondolo submitted a memorandum to the municipal speaker’s office.
It said incomplete houses were being allocated, accused the councillor of being disrespectful to residents, and demanded that:
* Each family should be allocated an RDP house.
* The community liaison officer, who was a stranger and disrespectful, it said, should be replaced with someone from the area.
* The councillor respect their freedom of association.
* Locals be given priority when employing staff to work on the housing project.
* The municipality keep promises to consult residents during all stages of the project.
Ward 12 councillor Mduduzi Ngcobo, who avoided the marchers, confirmed receiving the memorandum but denied he had been disrespectful.
Ngcobo said he had held a community meeting in which grievances were addressed. He stressed that the project belonged to all the people of KwaNdengezi, not only to residents of one particular area.
Any resident assessed and who qualified for shelter would be provided with a house.
“These accusations are baseless and unfounded. We explained to them that each family will be allocated a RDP house. They seemed to understand the criteria, and now I am baffled why these sudden protests,” said Ngcobo.