Category Archives: Emacambini

Sowetan: ‘Stay off our land, Premier’ – angry protesters block highway

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http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=899002

‘Stay off our land, Premier’ – angry protesters block highway

05 December 2008
Mhlaba Memela

Protests against the controversial proposal to develop vast tracts of Macambini land for tourism turned ugly yesterday when thousands of demonstrators blocked the N2 freeway and pelted motorists with stones.

Fifteen people were arrested and 12 others seriously injured, community leader Khanyisani Shandu said.

He accused the police of using “live ammunition” on his people and said KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele “has declared war and ordered police to shoot innocent people who are only defending what is rightfully theirs”.

The cops said only five people were arrested but Shandu was adamant.

“Fifteen people were arrested by the police and 12 had to be taken to hospital for serious injuries. They were fired on by the police,” he said.

Police spokesman Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said about 3000 people set up barricades at several bridges along the N2 freeway and were “very violent”.

Mdunge said the police initially used pepper spray to try to disperse the protesters. When that failed they used rubber bullets.

The protesters threw stones at motorists and set up barricades of burning tyres in a bid to get Ndebele and Dubai-based developer Ruwaad to withdraw their proposed R44billion Amazulu-World Tourism project.

In a memorandum handed in for Ndebele, the protesters accused him of “trying to steal the land belonging to the people of Macambine [so he can] sell it to the Dubai people for his own benefit”.

They gave him seven days in which to respond to their demands to withdraw the Ruwaad project.

Ndebele said: “I do do not understand why the community is marching. There has been no agreement on the project. It is just a proposal.

“We met the community and explained to them that this is a proposed development with private investors.

“The process of consultation will continue and people have a right to accept or reject the project.”

eMacambini: Emergency press releases (4 & 5 December)

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http://antieviction.org.za/2008/12/05/solidarity-friday-morning-update-on-emacambini-blockade/

Solidarity: Friday morning update on eMacambini blockade
5 12 2008
Abahlali baseMjondolo and Rural Network Press update
5 December 2008 at 09h50am

Reporting on the incident has not been good. Most reporters have only interviewed police officers and have failed to get statements from the residents themselves. This has led to a number of inaccuracies as police are scrambling to justify their intense and violent repression of the protest. Currently, there are no reports of any injuries to any motorists or police officers. It seems that only residents have suffered any injuries. Below are the facts from our investigations on the ground:

Shooting and injuries: SABC 3 News now estimates that 50 residents of eMacambini were injured during the road blockade. At least 30 people, mostly women, were directly shot by the police. The blockade took place in three locations on the N2, and those injured were taken to separate hospitals or were treated by paramedics at the scene, making it difficult to determine how many people were shot and injured by police.

What is confirmed is that among the people counted with injuries, most were shot with lead pellets and others with rubber bullets. Also confirmed is that police shot residents even after the road blockade has been dismantled. Bystanders not involved in the blockade were also shot.

At least 10 people remain in hospital as a result of the shootings. Most of those in hospital are women and many were shot at close range which can be deadly. One woman remains in critical condition after being shot at close range in the face by police.

Repression and arrests: We now know that ten people have been arrested. They have been told that they will appear in court today, December 5, 2008. Some of those arrested were injured when police opened fire. One man who sustained a serious injury to the knee remains in jail, and as of late last night, still has not been allowed to see a doctor.

For more information, please contact Rev. Thulani at 082 588 3740

Please also contact the following people from the Anti-Removal Committee:

Moffat Chili: 073 409 8625
Herbert Mbambo: 082 309 1637
Bheki Lushozi: 083 885 1448
Shando: 083 684 4562

eMacambini (KZN) residents blockade rode, over 12 arrested, countless shot, 3 people in critical condition
4 12 2008
Abahlali baseMjondolo and Rural Network
Press Alert Thursday 4 December, 2008 at 13h00
*Statement by the eMacambini community to follow tonight or tommorow*

On Nov 26, 2008, the eMacambini community marched about 10km to the Mandeni Municipal offices to protest against the proposed R55 Billion Amazulu World Development Project that threatens to evict more than 10,000 families living in the area. Residents, living on communal land are members of an indigenous and traditional Zulu community. Residents presented their grievances to Prof. Musa Xulu who received it on behalf of KZN Premier S’bu Ndebele. Among other demands in the memorandum was that the Premier must respond to their grievances by the 3rd of December (yesterday). The Premier has failed to respond and acknowledge the grievances of the community.

As a response, the community had blockaded the Northbound side of the N2 freeway early this morning with rocks and burning tyres for more than six hours. It was a peaceful and nonviolent action by the community meant only to cause political damage and economic inconvenience.

Police then came and shot 13 people with rubber bullets and then proceeded to arrest a large number of residents. Three people are now in the hospital in critical condition because of the police’s violent actions against residents. Of the people arrested, only four people are known to be in the local Inyoni Police Station. The location of the other people who were arrested is not known at this time.

Residents have now resolved to hold a Community Mass Prayer and Mass Meeting this coming Saturday the 6th of December to chart a way forward.

Residents have opened up a crisis office which is being manned by Rev Mavuso from the Rural Network. You can contact Rev. Mavuso in the crisis office at him at: 035 474 2790

You can also contact Rev. Thulani at 082 588 3740

Please contact the following people from the Anti-Removal Committee (some may have been shot or arrested or may otherwise be unable to answer their phones:

Moffat Chili: 073 409 8625
Herbert Mbambo: 082 309 1637
Bheki Lushozi: 083 885 1448
Shando: 083 684 4562

For background information, visit the Stockpile of information on the eMacambini/AmaZulu World evictions

For the previous press release by the eMacambini Anti-Removal Committee, click here

–

Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Alert
Thursday 4 December, 2008 at 11h20am
*A detailed update will follow later in the day*

(Previous press alert below)

We know now that at least 12 residents have been arrested by the police. We also know that quite a large number of residents have been shot at and have been injured. 3 residents are now in the hospital in critical condition.

Residents have opened up a crisis office which is being manned by Rev Mavuso from the Rural Network. You can contact Rev. Mavuso in the crisis office at him at: 035 474 2790

You can contact Rev. Thulani at 082 588 3740

Please contact the following people from the Anti-Removal Committee (some may have been shot or arrested or may otherwise be unable to answer their phones:

Moffat Chili: 073 409 8625
Herbert Mbambo: 082 309 1637
Bheki Lushozi: 083 885 1448
Shando: 083 684 4562

–

Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Alert
Thursday 4 December, 2008 at 10h30am
*A detailed update will follow later in the day*

This morning, 4 December 2008, residents of eMacambini decided to blockade a road in their area to protest the unsatisfactory response of Premier S’bu Ndebele.

We do not know many of the details at the moment. However, we do know that many people have been shot by the police and that a number of the protesters have been arrested.

A detailed update will follow later in the day with more information.

In the meantime, please contact the following people for more information:

Moffat Chili: 073 409 8625
Herbert Mbambo: 082 309 1637
Bheki Lushozi: 083 885 1448
Shando: 083 684 4562

Rev. Mavuso (Rural Network) – 035 474 2790

Witness: Protesters block N2 traffic

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http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global[_id]=16977

POLICE officers had their hands full yesterday when the Macambini clan on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast blocked the busy N2 and the R102, burning tyres and throwing stones at motorists.

Close to 400 people were protesting against the planned multi-billion-rand development in their area by Dubai’s Ruwaad Corporation, which is backed by Premier S’bu Ndebele.

Scores of police officers were deployed and reinforcements were called in to stop the protesters from blocking the two busy roads. When they failed to cope a police helicopter was sent in.

The burning of tyres and stoning of cars began as early as 7 am and continued into the afternoon.

It proved difficult for the police to deal with the protest because, unlike a normal demonstration at which people gather in one place and move together, the protesters gathered in small groups on different sections of the freeway. They pelted motorists with stones and burnt tyres when the police were were sufficiently far away.

In a scene that some reporters likened to a movie, police officers raced to and fro trying to extinguish flames on the road and protecting motorists from attack.

In most of the incidents, police were unable to nab the perpetrators as darted into nearby bushes and houses.

Police spokesman, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose said six people were arrested and charged with public violence.

They will appear at Gingindlovu Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

“We believe that more charges will be added against them because some of them were also carrying dangerous weapons such as axes.

“We only arrested those who were too violent and fighting with the police,” he said.

Mdlalose said cars were damaged during the protest. Some protesters were badly hurt when the police fired rubber bullets. It is not known at this stage whether any motorists were injured when cars were stoned.

“We asked members from Eshowe police station and members of the public order policing unit from different police stations to come and assist.

“The situation is still tense, but we are managing it,” said Mdlalose.

The Macambini community claims that if Ruwaad is allowed to develop their area, more than 8 000 people will be forced to relocate to make way for the development, which will occupy 16 500 hectares of their land.

They support Sports Cities International, another Dubai-based developer, to take over, saying their preferred developer is willing to listen to their concerns.

Sports Cities International has promised to deliver a similar development at a cost of about R23 billion on about 1 000 hectares of unoccupied land, without moving anyone.

Thulani Mathonsi, one of the elders in the Macambini clan, said community members will continue blocking the roads if Ndebele does not call off the deal.

“I have five hectares of sugar cane farm. I will lose it if Ndebele allows Ruwaad to relocate us. I was born in this area and I love it,” said Mathonsi.

He said the community will demand the release of the six people arrested yesterday.

KZN director-general Dr Kwazi Mbanjwa met the station commissioners of Gingindlovu, Eshowe and Nyoni police stations to discuss how to deal with the sporadic protests.

M&G: Cops break up protest over KZN development

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http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-12-05-cops-break-up-protest-over-kzn-development

Cops break up protest over KZN development

by Niren Tolsi

Police used pepper-spray and rubber bullets to disperse 3 000 people who had closed off a section of the N2 highway on Thursday in protest against a R44-bn development in the area.

Early morning traffic was brought to a standstill as protestors burnt tractor tyres and logs on the national highway between KwaDukuza and Richards Bay.

Disgruntled residents from the eMacambini area on KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast were protesting against KZN premier Sbu Ndebele’s failure to respond to community concerns about the proposed development.

A memorandum handed to his office last week had elicited no response.

Moffat Chili, a member of the eMacambini Anti-removal Committee (MAC), said that at the time of going to press, there had been reports of 23 people being injured by police rubber bullets.

He also alleged that police had chased protesters to their homes, where they were also fired upon. Police spokesperson, Superintendent Vincent Mdunge was unable to verify this, but confirmed that rubber bullets had been used in dispersing the crowd.

Earlier this year Ndebele announced a memorandum of understanding between the provincial government and the Dubai-based Ruwaad Holdings to develop 7 500 hectares of land in the eMacambini area.

The proposed development was initially costed at R15-billion in May this year. However the estimated price tag has now risen to “R44-million over 25 years”, according to Ndebele’s spokesperson, Logan Maistry.

Chili said residents were unhappy at Ndebele’s “arrogance” at not having responded to a memorandum demanding the complete withdrawal of the project and a personal apology to the community for not consulting them prior announcing the development.

“The premier has not consulted us, yet he is telling the world about this development. Both he and Kwazi Mbanjwa [Ndebele’s director-general] have said they will expropriate the land if necessary. We will be forced out like during apartheid: where are our rights?” said Chili.

The planned development will see the relocation of almost 10 000 households from the coastal belt and the closure of 29 schools and around 300 churches.

These will be replaced by the AmaZulu World Themepark with hotels, a gargantuan shopping mall, six golf courses, a game reserve and a R200-million, 100m statue of King Shaka at the uThukela River Mouth.

Maistry said Ndebele “would do what was best for the people of eMacambini” and that the consultation process with communities could was ongoing. During his state of the province address Ndebele said he hoped the development would start in March this year.

Maistry could not comment on how much of the total bill would be from taxpayers’ pockets or to matters relating to Ndebele’s non-response to the community’s memorandum. He referred all questions to Mbanjwa who did not respond to several messages left for him by the Mail & Guardian.

Daily News: Police ‘shoot’ Macambini protesters

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Click here for pictures of police injuries.

http://www.themercury.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20081205110652344C943369

Police ‘shoot’ Macambini protesters
5 December 2008, 11:47
By Mpume Madlala

Angry Macambini residents near Mandini on Thursday said they were shocked at the brutality of the police, saying that the treatment meted out to them smacked of the apartheid regime.

At least 10 people were arrested and several injured when a crowd of 3 000 people clashed with police.

The community is opposing a R44-billion Dubai development proposal by the provincial government on their ancestral land – a move that will see them relocated.

The crowd blockaded the N2, after Premier S’bu Ndebele did not respond to the memorandum that they had given to him a week ago regarding their grievances over the development.

Police spokeseperson Superintendent Vincent Mdunge denied that police were brutal, saying the use of rubber bullets was necessary.

“These people placed burning tyres on the road and threw stones at passing motorists and that, according to the Gatherings Act, is illegal. Police asked them to disperse several times, but they refused and this was the end result,” he said.

Khayelihle Mathaba, the chief for the area, said he was angry about what had happened because the police were there to protect the community and not to harm them. He said that there was no difference between the police of today and those of the apartheid era. “We just want our premier to protect us by stopping the development because thousands of people will lose their homes. I have been advised to sign with another developer and that is what I will do.”

Residents said they were still very shocked at the force used by police. A 76-year-old woman could not contain her tears as she described how police allegedly pulled her son down from a tractor, which he had been driving just outside his home.

“They pulled him down and tied his hands behind his back before beating him and shooting him with rubber bullets. What had he done to be treated like that? They even went into my room and emptied my wardrobe and turned my bed upside down. I was pushed to the floor when I tried to protect him. I must say this has reminded me of the pain we went through under the apartheid regime,” she said.

Mthembiseni Dube, who was hit several times with rubber bullets, said he was just standing on the side of the road when he was hit in the legs and back. “It was so painful that I fell to the ground. I really don’t understand why we had to be shot at, because we were not abusing anyone. What we are against is being moved off our land. I will never leave my parents’ graves here. This is where I come from and this is who I am,” he said.

Resident Thulani Mathonsi said they were very angry that the premier had not responded to their memorandum.

“Until he does, we will continue doing what we have started today. We want him to understand we really are against moving. I have been living here for 57 years. I am going nowhere,” he said.

Logan Maistry, the premier’s spokesperson, said they understood that people were worried about their heritage in the area.

Maistry said they would only do what was in the best interests of the people of Macambini, the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the people of South Africa.

“The premier has responded to the people on numerous occasions by consultation, which is what they had requested in their memorandum,” Maistry said.

In a statement issued by the ANC on Thursday, the party expressed great disappointment over what had happened, saying it was unfortunate and unnecessary.

ANC provincial general secretary, Senzo Mchunu, said they would like to assure the community that no-one would forcibly remove them from their land.

They also called on the government to engage with the community so that the present confusion was cleared.

* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Daily News on December 05, 2008