Peaceful protest against port plans

HUNDREDS of protestors demonstrated outside the main entrance to the container terminal of Durban harbour in Langerberg Road last week, against the proposed plans for the Dug-Out Port.

The South Durban Community Environment Alliance (SDCEA) and 19 affiliated organisations raised grievances concerning Transnet’s developments, which they say are already affecting thousands of lives on a daily basis. They said if plans for the Dug-Out Port and other port expansion plans go ahead, these affects are set to worsen.

Marina Petersen who is the Acting Port Manager from Transnet met with the protestors and Des D’ Sa from SDCEA who presented her with a memorandum which included concerns and demands.

Regarding the 'back of port' plans, the memorandum claimed plans to rezone areas for logistics would result in an increase in trucking and container depots. Parts of Glenwood, Umbilo and Mobeni and the entire suburb of Clairwood have been earmarked for rezoning for logistics as part of the plans.

“This will force people to leave and destroy communities. Clairwood has culture and heritage embedded in their community and for government to allow decay and further industrialisation is abominable,” said D' Sa.

On the issue of trucking, he said increased trucking in these areas would result in land decay and destruction of roads. There is an increase in deaths on the roads, damage to infrastructure and smuggling and other illegal activities associated with the port. The memorandum suggested that the rail system, which is currently in a state of collapse, needed to be upgraded and freight needed to be transported by rail instead.

“Another issue is the removal of subsistence fisher folk from Durban harbour and the North and South piers, which has threatened their livelihoods. There has been a lack of consultation with fisher folk around licensing which has impeded their mode of survival,” said D' Sa.

Another topic covered in the memorandum was the plight of airport farmers. There are currently 16 farmers on the old airport land. These farmers provide affordable fresh vegetables.

“Should the plans for the Dug-Out Port go ahead, they will be displaced and their livelihoods will be destroyed. This will have ramifications in terms of food security and unemployment. Local production for local consumption needs to be encouraged. Instead imports are promoted which undermine the local economy,” said D' Sa.

“These plans were made without meaningful public participation. Communities need to be consulted from the beginning of the process. We as the SDCEA continue to empower people to utilise their right to know, their duty to inquire and the obligation to act,” said D' Sa.