A FAMILY from Donnelly Road flats on The Bluff has strongly rejected the eThekwini Municipality’s explanation regarding the occupation of units in the completed housing project in Ward 66.

Danisile Ncobela, the daughter of 68-year-old resident, Ntombizodwa Ncobela, said her family has lived at the Convent for more than two decades.

Her response comes after eThekwini Municipality released a statement claiming that two families had moved into the flats “without following proper procedures” and that the City was pursuing legal action to remove the occupants.

Ncobela maintains this version of events is inaccurate. She said her family’s history at Donnelly Road dates back 22 years.

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“When the municipality took over in 2006, we were already living here. I was living here with my boyfriend and my three children, including Zuko. My mother, Ntombizodwa, was also living here,” said Ncobela.

She said the family had been repeatedly recognised and registered by the municipality during various formal processes between 2011 and 2024.

She said her mother’s name was even read out publicly during a community meeting.

“Her name was second on the list. An official from the municipality asked for her to be fetched because she wanted to see her,” she said.

She questioned the municipality’s sudden shift in position.

“Now they are saying we have occupied the houses illegally,” she said.

She added that there are four elderly residents from the Convent community who have lived there for many years and were included in all municipal records.

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“She is ill and has no electricity. She has to move around because her rights as an elderly person are being taken away over lies,” Ncobela said.

Ncobela also alleges that her mother’s health deteriorated after her grandson, Zuko, was assaulted earlier this month when the municipal officials were there to remove the occupants.

She also raised concerns about alleged mistreatment of other long-term residents.

She claims municipal workers forcibly removed some residents’ belongings and changed the locks, leaving them outside without shelter.

“We have no money, we are poor maybe that’s why the municipality is bullying us,” she said.

She also clarified that Zuko is only registered as his grandmother’ assurer, the person responsible for helping her with rent payments.

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