Less than 10 residents have organised themselves into a newly formed informal structure called Emkurwini situated along CR Swart Drive to deal with the socio- economic challenges they are facing.
Emkurwini, which means the place of hustle, was established six months ago near Edleen along CR Swart Drive on unoccupied land.
Impoverished residents erected over five shacks on the vacant land that has not been proclaimed for residential use and lack services such as water supply, sewage systems and electricity.
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The inhabitants and founders, Lerato Chobokwane, Zibusiso Tshabangu and Ramoseme Precious state that residents residing in the shacks live in fear of eviction.
“We have very little income. As the dwellers of the Emkurwini settlement we depend on informal activities like piece jobs and waste picking by salvaging reusable or recyclable materials thrown away by local residents to sell and exchange at scrap yards. We try to earn a living because job opportunities are scarce,” said Tshabangu.
“We are struggling to put a proper roof over our heads. This led to us finding other means to have a place to call home. As squatter settlers we are facing a number of threats and issues such as malnourishment, illiteracy, hunger, lack of education and social instability.
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“Government has promised to provide housing and food for the poor, but their efforts have proved futile. The council has come up with different initiatives to provide housing but the ones being made available in most cases will be beyond the reach of the majority,” Tshabangu said.
“The metro has attempted to destroy our shacks but where will we go? We don’t have homes,” said *Michelle who gave birth to her six-month-old daughter in the shack.
“I was working as prostitute and using drugs just to make a living. I then met my fiancé, one of the founders, and he did not judge me but tried to show me the way to live without selling myself short.
“He told me to quit what I was doing as he will take care of me despite him being a waste picker and also being homeless. I then moved to Emkurwini to start a life with him.
“At times I managed to help him put food on the table by finding piece jobs. I then fell pregnant. It was not planned but we accept our responsibility for our baby girl named Miracle. We named her Miracle because she is a miracle, despite the place where she was born,” said Michelle.
“This may be my home but I have motherly anxieties about living in an informal settlement. It’s not nice and fair for my child to grow up in this bad area. No parent wants to groom their child in a lawless place because children tend to be abused, get mixed up with drugs, and are often recruited into gangs where they will later prey on the innocent,” said Michelle.
“We are appealing to the government that has turned a blind-eye to help us with basic needs for my little one at least.”
Ward 104 Clr Tracey Lourenco said she will endeavour to ensure all relevant departments are informed to assist the residents of Emkurwini and for the families to receive urgent and sustainable assistance for their future well-being.
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“It is heart-breaking that we don’t have enough accommodation to house families in desperate need. This highlights the need for more social housing.
“As the ward councillor I will be interacting with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the above is initiated as a matter of urgency,” said Lourenco.
According to the EMPD spokesperson Kobeli Mokheseng, officers have been monitoring the area since July 30.
“The matter comes a long way and other stakeholders, including social development, have been roped in.
“Three shacks were demolished after the illegal occupants were given warnings, notices and ample time to evacuate. We never burnt or damaged any valuables belonging to dwellers, unless they were classified as rubble.
“Currently there is a woman with a toddler and an expecting woman who are illegally occupying two of the shacks. The Social Development Department along with local SAPS have been made aware of the situation. The EMPD precinct officers will continue to monitor the area,” said Kobeli.
The Express requested comment from City of Ekurhuleni by September 1 at 10am.
At the time of publishing no comment had been received.
*Name changed to protect her identity.
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