District Six claimants go to grave without restitution
SO ANOTHER former District Six resident, Catherine Wagner, 94, has died without the resolution of her land claim. The mind boggles. Are more of us destined to go the same route?
The process of restitution was started in 1995 and was meant to last three years. In 1998 it was re-opened, which was when I lodged my claim.
My experience has never been pleasant. I’ve had to deal with incompetent officials. My application is complicated, so I’ll spare the details. It is the frustration that I wish to register; notably the lack of empathy and office practice, not to mention the lack of understanding of history.
When I put in my claim I was dealt with by someone who was assigned to handle mainly District Six claims. When I gave the street address, the official wanted to know where it was. I was about to say Bishopscourt, but realised I was dealing with a petty official and the query might go to the bottom of the pile.
On another occasion, communication took place between slurps of porridge. On yet another occasion, when I made an unexpected visit, I had forgotten my reference number and was refused assistance. “I cannot help you if you do not have your reference number.”
Again I was about to respond facetiously by saying: “If you enter my ID number it will tell you when last I had sex.”
Recently, I decided to follow up on a previous visit. I waited for at least a minute before the receptionist helped me. Face down, smiling from ear to ear, her two thumbs were dancing on her cellphone’s keyboard, I was either being ignored or she was too busy with a personal matter to notice me.
Given that I was not blessed with height, I had to go on tiptoes to make my presence known, which elicited an aggressive response.
I gave her my details, upon which she asked: “Who was the person you last dealt with?” I didn’t remember the person’s name, but politely said it was a Muslim woman. Her response for everyone in the reception area to hear was: “Well, now you will be helped by a black woman.”
About a month ago, through the radio, I learned of Shahied Ajam, chairperson of the District Six Working Committee and got an appointment with him. He advised me to go back to Land Claims and to speak only to Len Mars to request copies of my documents. This I did, to be told Mr Mars was not available, but I should leave my details. I did and asked that I be called when the documents were ready for collection. After two weeks, and no call, I tried another follow up. Again to no avail.
On February 4, I visited Land Claims to see whether the documents were ready, only to be told my details might not have reached Mr Mars’s office. I was taken to another reception area, where I was told to wait. I sat down and beheld photographs on the wall of key ANC leaders, at which I began to hyperventilate. Are these people aware of what claimants endure?
Finally, I was assisted by Mr Chumile, who allowed me to let off a considerable amount of steam. He was pleasant, engaging and demonstrated compassion. He apologised profusely for the inconvenience.
He indicated that an application form, which involved a fee, needed to be completed for me to obtain my file information. And, if I was a pensioner, the payment would be waived if I supplied proof of my status. Moreover, with the application form, he suggested I read a document (about 100 pages) that explained the act in relation to restitution. While I am an avid reader, I have no desire to peruse so many pages of pure rhetoric.
And so, 20 years later, I am still in search of restitution, and the Struggle continues. Meanwhile, a large staff complement continues to benefit from an annual salary that no doubt includes a performance bonus earned through the misery of the dispossessed.