Black Road shut by Buffalo Flats housing protests
BUFFALO Flats Extension residents closed the Mdantsane Access road yesterday morning with burning tyres and old cars in fury at housing allocation problems in the area.
The protests – involving residents from Fynbos, Egoli and Vergenoeg – started on Wednesday night when Vergenoeg community members gathered outside ward 10 councillor Roseline Witbooi’s house demanding answers to the allocation of RDP houses being built in the area.
When the Daily Dispatch visited yesterday about 500 people had gathered at the flaming barrier across the Black Road, as it is known, forcing traffic from Mdantsane to divert to Woolwash Road that connects to Amalinda.
Vergenoeg community member Olga O’Neil said the housing allocation system was flawed and racially motivated.
“Many coloured people who are supposed to be beneficiaries are not getting houses and have been on the waiting list for years only to find they have been removed,” she said.
Construction worker, Sanele Dayimani, who is involved in the RDP housing construction project in Scenery Park and Buffalo Flats Extension, said they were forced to down tools by the protesters.
“We can’t work here. We are concerned that we won’t get paid if we don’t work. Who knows for how long this [protest] will continue.”
Residents of Fynbos also closed Dunoon Road, which gives access to Empilweni Clinic in Gompo, alleging ward councillor Ayanda Mapisa had used racial slurs when asked about the allocation process.
“Today is our day to speak out. We have been patient for too long,” said community leader Lawrence Petersen.
Petersen claims that the majority of coloured people had been removed from the housing beneficiary list. He said the housing issue had not been addressed during the metro’s Integrated Development Plan roadshow.
“They came to talk about potholes and speed bumps. We just want houses,” said Petersen.
The Dispatch’s calls to Mapisa and Witbooi went unanswered.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya told the Dispatch that the metro’s human settlements portfolio head Maureen Mhlola had been sent to address the protesters.
“We want to urge people to calm down and engage properly as we find alternative solutions. We are confident we will restore peace and order in the area.”
However, Mhlola was chased away by the protesters because “she could not address the people in English,” according to a community member at the scene.
The protests carried on until dusk, when BCM deputy mayor Zoliswa Matana intervened and invited the protesters to a meeting today.
BCM human settlements portfolio committee member Richard Rooy agreed that the region faced a housing crisis. “This has been coming for a long time now.
“If you compare the people who were first registered with those who currently live in these houses, it is totally in shambles. The people who are supposed to live in these houses are the ones protesting today. That is the essence of the whole situation” said Rooy yesterday.
Rooy added that a proper evaluation and audit was needed.
“We have a list where young people are at the forefront whereas you have the old people behind. How does that happen?”
Last month, the Daily Dispatch reported on a racism row in Alphendale, where some residents petitioned against Witbooi for more equitable distribution of houses between black and coloured residents.
A memorandum to Witbooi demanded that “50% of the housing allocation should be given to coloured people”.
At the time, Witbooi rubbished the allegations of racial bias against her and said: “People who deserve houses will be given houses regardless of their skin colour. I have the list and the department of human settlements has the list of who will be given houses.” —