KwaDukuza municipality demolishes new shacks at Sheffield informal settlement

KwaDukuza municipality demolished more than 10 newly-built shack houses at the Taffeni informal settlement last Friday, in spite of the matter being stalled in court due to lockdown.

“We were supposed to be in court on April 2, but due to lockdown, we could not. We are not sure how they can demolish our homes while they have chosen to take the legal route,” said chairperson Velemseni Masondo of the informal settlement, built on land earmarked for low-cost housing.

Masondo said there were about 180 families with more than 100 children and most were unemployed.

“As much as the land belongs to KwaDukuza municipality, we did not choose to come and open up this bush because we are bored or stupid. We had no choice. We would all like to live in decent houses and support our families but since we cannot afford rent and transport, we had no choice but to build shacks on vacant land. We chose this place because it is close to Ballito and Salt Rock, where we can find piecemeal jobs.”

One of the people who lost her shack on Friday was 40-year-old Nokuthula Shoba, who stays in a two-room shack with her husband and six other family members.

None have been able to work since lockdown started.

“I come from Mtubatuba and I was staying in Shaka’s Head, paying R750 rent. But due to unemployment we had to move here. We now use that R750 for food and primary needs. My husband and myself had to go onto the dumpsite looking for material to build our second shack. As we were about to finish building it, it got demolished. I do not know how we will manage to get more material to rebuild,” said Shoba.

The illegal squatters told the Courier that the municipality was planning to relocate them to Mgigimbe, near Cranbrook, about 17km from Sheffield. But they do not want to move as it was too far from work.

The squatters have dismissed claims that the latest shack builders had paid for the land. They said when someone new arrives and explains their need for a place to stay, they gladly find a spot for him or her to build a shack.

“How can we sell land that does not belong to us? We live here because we are struggling.

“We call a meeting and you get to introduce yourself and provide refreshment for the people who will be there, usually it’s a case of beer and a cool drink, maybe a bottle of whiskey or vodka,” said Masondo.

KwaDukuza municipality spokesperson Sipho Mkhize said they urged people to stop illegally occupying council land.

“This hinders service delivery in many respects, including stalling development and placing people’s lives at risk,” said Mkhize.

He said those who were in need of shelter and meals during this period were encouraged to contact the municipality’s disaster management office so that they could be placed in shelters and provided with meals. Contact 032-9462711 for more information.

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