Informal settlement residents in Seatides say they are still being harassed by eThekwini Municipality employees, despite an agreement to suspend demolitions and the building of new structures at the last meeting.

Residents allege that officials continue to threaten them with demolition unless they buy the land or rent it from a resident who claims ownership.

About 65 homes were demolished by the municipality in July, sparking two protests – on July 16 and August 6 – that forced the closure of the M4 between the settlement and Casuarina Beach.

Ward 58 councillor Geoff Pullan said he had not been informed of the latest complaints.

He added, however, that at the last meeting in Canelands, attended by more than 100 people, the community agreed to re-establish the ward war room, which has now been done.

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A “war room” is a community-based structure that brings together local government representatives, community leaders and service departments to identify, monitor and resolve local issues.

Many of the demolished structures belonged to families displaced by the 2021 floods, who had been temporarily accommodated at Tongaat Town Hall.

When permanent housing solutions were delayed, some families returned to Seatides but were unable to rebuild on their original plots. Instead, they settled on nearby vacant land, expanding the settlement. This has now been challenged by a Seatides resident who claims the land has been invaded.

Residents argue that they have waited too long for housing projects that never materialised.

“They gave us water and electricity and told us houses were coming. But to this day, nothing has happened,” one resident said.

Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana previously told the Courier that the Seatides protest had been discussed in July during a meeting at City Hall with Pullan, municipal officials and the Seatides committee.

According to Sisilana, the committee agreed to halt new land invasions and allow the security management unit’s land invasion team to monitor the area. Residents said there has not been any new building, as agreed; however, they still face harassment from the eThekwini team.

eThekwini had not responded by the time of going to print, and attempts to get hold of the person claiming land ownership were unsuccessful.

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