Struggle for basic services continues
LAND occupations and service delivery strikes demonstrate why working-class communities have taken to the streets in continued efforts to force the government to deliver on its promises. They are being faced by police repression and the opportunistic use of Covid-19 special regulations.
Most recently, community activists in Silvertown, Malmesbury, have borne the brunt of these silencing tactics. This as residents demanded basic services which are matters of life and death.
A resident was killed in the middle of the night. Nothing could be done to save her. The place is very cold at night.
People make their artificial heater with wood and put it inside their shack. What makes youth even more angry is that they can’t even study online. They continue their struggle for basic services but face police brutality. There’s no one to help them.
On July 23, a meeting to address Silvertown community’s demands was scheduled between the Department of Human Settlements, Eskom, Housing Assembly, Chatsworth community leader representatives, Silvertown informal settlement representatives, South African Homeless People’s Federation, Cape Lifestyles Investments (private owners of the land), the ward councillor, the manager of Swartland Municipality and Mr Lala from the premier’s office.
Community leaders complained about being misled that the meeting was to be cancelled the previous day, only to discover that it began at 11am on July 23 with preliminary discussions on the sale of the land from Cape Lifestyle Investments to the Swartland Municipality. As ordinary community members gathered in protest outside the venue and objected to being excluded, it was not long before the meeting was cancelled.
An argument between activists and the police ensued as protesters demanded that officials come out to explain themselves. As the tension increased community leaders urged the crowd to disperse. The police responded by firing stun grenades into the crowd.
Protesters, ironically, were then detained in Malmesbury prison overnight in overcrowded cells where social distancing was impossible. The land occupied by Silvertown residents is part of an ongoing court case between the community, Swartland Municipality and Cape Lifestyle investments. The latter is seeking an eviction order. In a communiqué to Swartland Municipality on July 24, the company refused concessions to provide basic services but instead offered the sale of the land to the municipality at approximately R16 million.
Municipal manager Joggie Scholtz indicated in an interview that they believe the price to be inflated and have supplied water access to the edge of the property, but cannot proceed into private property.
While the legal battles hang over the Silvertown community, the daily struggles for dignity remain.
Protest remains an important weapon against the silencing and dismissal of the most marginalised in the country.
For Silvertown, the struggle continues. BRIAN KAMANZI | Member of the Alternative Energy Popular Education Programme.