“The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) Mogale City’s Zonal Task Team (ZTT) supports the struggle of the people of the Mtombo informal settlement.”
These were the words of the acting chairperson of ZTT, Raliphi George Xolelizwe, known as Master Push, to the delegates from 12 branches of Sanco at the Sanco Mogale City Zonal general council meeting at Munsieville School Board, that garnered him a round of applause.
Master Push said it is proposed that the settlement, which is situated near Cradlestone Mall, be moved to Plot 11 in Honingklip, Mogale City.
On 9 October Sanco submitted a request to the Executive Mayor’s office inviting the executive mayor, Patrick Naga Lipudi to brief Sanco on the developments around Plot 11.
Unfortunately, the mayor failed to honour the request. No communication, not even a representative or an apology as a sign of respect to Sanco.
It seems Sanco in Mogale City is on its own.
Nevertheless, Master Push came to the mayor’s rescue, as he was unofficially reporting on Plot 11 on behalf of the mayor.
The chairperson said in his report that Sanco is deeply shocked at the allegations that Absa Bank has issued a warrant of eviction for the people living on the ground next to the mall because they are illegal squatters. Afterwards, various angry members of the public informed Sanco that they believe that Absa should be responsible for the relocation of the squatters.
However, Absa confirmed that the land belonged to them, and that they had indeed given eviction letters to the squatters. This is yet another appalling example of apartheid labour relations continuing unchanged in the new SA.
Not only is this an attack on the workers’ basic human right to shelter and security, and a denial of their rights under the labour laws, but it is a sinister attack on democracy and the hard-won right to vote.
Sanco calls upon the community and the workers to stand their ground and refuse to move. We call upon the ANC, SACP and Cosatu to join us in a massive campaign of solidarity and support for the Mtombo informal settlement families and any others facing similar threats by other persons or organisations anywhere in Mogale City.
We also demand that Zillah Maguire, the councillor for Ward 39, condemn this action by Absa Bank.
