Trapped in our homes: old folk
ELDERLY folk in Sea Cow Lake are fuming after contractors building a special needs school allegedly blocked the rear access to their homes.
Locals who battled with the steep driveways in front of their Ringside Place homes previously used the land, which was bought by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education for the Bright Future Special School in Centre Place.
Seven residents, represented by attorney Narisha Hansraj, sought an urgent interdict in the Durban High Court in July against Fikile Construction, the MEC for Public Works, and the Minister of Education.
On July 21, an interim order was granted which stopped Fikile Construction from closing the public path designated as a right of way to Ringside Place’s residents. They were also restrained from erecting or causing any obstruction.
Six days later, the matter returned to court and the draft order was discharged.
The parties, however, agreed to settle.
According to transcripts of the proceedings, advocate Reece Kisten told Judge Mohini Moodley that the respondents had undertaken to grade the driveways to make them usable.
Three months later, nothing has been done, the residents told POST.
Lalachand Munasur, 69, said he had lived in Ringside Place all his life and had always got to his home through Centre Place.
Some of the properties have no driveways and residents have to use a pathway through Centre Place, he said.
“We have used the back entrance since the establishment of our houses and removing this access is affecting our ability to live normally.”
Munasur said construction of the school began in May.
A month later all signage related to Centre Place was allegedly removed and residents were given access to their properties via an alternative path.
“However, in July, residents were hand-delivered a letter informing them that the alternative path would be closed until further notice.
“The closure was not discussed with us. We were trapped in our homes. Many of the residents are women, children and the elderly whose access to work, school or emergency health care is affected.”
Munasur said all he wanted was for an alternative path to be provided and to make all parties happy.
Co-applicants Neeta Runglall, Privitha Choono, Diresh Lutchman, Gregory Whitby, Saleem Hoosen and Subbiah Reddy reiterated Munasur’s sentiments in affidavits before court.
In a replying affidavit, Dudu Fihlela, KZN chief director in the provincial Department of Public Works, said the applicants had access to their properties from Ringside Road and most of the driveways were paved.
She added the residents could not acquire state land and were endangering their lives by driving in a construction area.