SDCEA vows to fight
THE South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) has pledged to bring unprecedented opposition against what it sees as a disregard for South Durban communities in the name of development.
At a meeting on Wednesday, 22 January at the John Dunn House in Wentworth, community members, ratepayers associations, environmental NGOs and civil society organisations were hosted by the SDCEA. From that, 27 community representatives pledged their support to stand firm against “any aggression whether it be legislation such as the Infrastructural Bill, the Protection of Information Bill, National Key Point and other legislation which fringe on our rights which are enshrined in our constitution,” said SDCEA’s project officer for climate, energy and youth, Simitha Bechan.
“What lies at the heart of our concern is the complete disregard of the communities’ needs and lack of consultation. Government has promised meaningful consultation in terms of the port development and the establishment of a community based forum, which has never materialised. They also committed to a ‘green economy’ but the port plans are environmentally destructive.
All communities agreed to stand together against these issues, including the overarching Infrastructure Development Bill, which we oppose. This draft bill will override existing legislation and constitutional obligations, especially those safeguarding ecological sustainability, so that development projects need not be held up by environmental best practice. It also centralises decision making, so that those most affected at local level, will have little or no say.”
The representatives will hold a planning meeting to determine how to mobilise thousands of people to deal with what they call an intrusion by both government and big business, without little or no community consultation. The Legal Resource Centre based will assist the representatives with legal support as they challenge Clairwood trucking and zoning and development of Clairwood Racecourse and assist airport farmers.
“We agreed there will be a team of academics and scientists as well as local community experts who will be able to put forward a strong argument on behalf of the people of South Durban and if necessary, to testify in court.”
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
