Sisonke residents picket at DV relocation site after clash with cops

The main road in Mdantsane was barricaded with burning tyres and barbed wire on Friday by residents of Sisonke informal settlement in NU1 demanding electricity and other basic services.

“We visited [the mayor] Xola Pakati on Thursday to raise our concerns with him, but we were told we were not going to get electricity any time soon, because the land we built our homes on belongs to the ECDC [Eastern Cape Development Corporation]”, said Sisonke committee member Sibongile Ngcayi.

On Friday, after their failed attempt to meet Pakati, they said when they protested in the streets, police threw teargas canisters and shot at them with rubber bullets. Ngcayi said teargas canisters landed in the yards of people who were not even part of the protest.

The residents are now picketing at the new temporary housing project near the Mtsoto cemetery to delay the instalment of structures for Duncan Village residents.

“They are busy building houses for people in Duncan Village, whereas we are still struggling to get the basic services,” said protester Sinawo Tobi.

Ngcayi and Tobi described their bleak daily lives without electricity. “My child was electrocuted and spent two months in hospital because of illegal connections. There is a young woman nearby whose shack burnt down and she was left with third degree burns,” Ngcayi said.

Ward 42 councillor Senduka Maphuko said he had tried to solve their problems, but without success. “I have tried my utmost best to represent the residents of ward 42, but I have failed.”

Resident Lelethu Matyobeni said their plan was not to be violent or vandalise facilities, but they were desperate to get Pakati’s attention. “We burnt the road; the SAPS arrived and watched us for a few seconds before firing ammunition and throwing tear gas. Our aim is not to close down the housing project, but to convey a message to the mayor.”

BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said it was not true that police just shot at people out of nowhere. Residents had blocked the road and burnt tyres, and not only were they damaging infrastructure but were putting the lives of people on the line. “We reiterate to residents that our doors are open for engagement and resorting to violent behaviour will not resolve anything.”

He indicated they had engaged with the residents of the area in detail about the land in question as well as the city’s plans. “The mayor’s office was in touch with residents in an effort to once more take residents through as to what are the processes.”

He said the temporary sites in Mtsotso would be unpacked by the national government in due course, but these related to the relocation of people from Duncan Village.

“BCM has an electrification programme to electrify informal settlements that meets the guidelines for electrification; the settlement should be close to existing infrastructure and be in a position where electrification is practicable.”

Factors the metro assesses include:

● Servitude;

● Road or rail reserve;

● Flood prone area;

● Environmental issues;

● Storm water retention or detention pond;

● Private land (not owned by BCM); and

● Stability of the land.