Concerns over ‘transit camp’
The municipality says it is, in fact, an existing informal settlement
THE construction of an alleged transit camp in Clare Hills has raised concerns, among the formal residents, about pollution, security and safety.
But for the informal dwellers it is a step toward formal housing.
The site, along Burnwood Road, is being constructed and will house 30 families from the nearby Jadhu Place Informal Settlement.
Jabulani Mtshali, the Induna for the settlement, claimed the land was allocated to them by the eThekwini Municipality, in 2017.
“Thirty families from the settlement will be moved to the transit camp because the municipality will be building new roads near their existing homes,” said Mtshali.
“Two months ago, I was appointed by the municipality to oversee the construction of homes at the transit camp.”
Mtshali said the municipality excavated the land and gave him the materials to build the transit homes.
“I have 12 people building homes with me and they should be ready in three weeks.”
He said the municipality assured them they would provide piped water, electricity and ablution facilities.
Mtshali described the site as a transit camp and a temporary home.
“The families will live here for about four months before being moved to proper low-cost housing in surrounding areas.
“The settlement houses more than 5 000 families, who have been waiting for more than 25 years for homes.”
When the POST visited the site on Thursday, Mtshali and his workers had already completed building a row of homes – using steel and wood.
They have no building experience and there were no municipal officials or a construction company to monitor the work.
Hassan Haniff, a DA councillor for the area, said at the beginning of 2019, residents from the informal settlement staged a protest demanding proper houses.
“The protest lasted a week. When the protests subsided, I went to the settlement with municipal officials to discuss their housing issues.”
Haniff said their concerns were filtered to the Department of Human Settlements, in KwaZulu-Natal.
“There were other meetings – between the residents, municipal officials and the department – that I was not aware of. In November, I was informed that the department allocated land for the transit camp, for 30 families. This land was suitable because it was near the settlement and in the vicinity of where most of the families worked.”
Haniff said he explained the situation to the ratepayers association and it was to be filtered down to residents.
“The decision has been made at a provincial level. The situation is out of my hands.”
But Fathima van Rensburg, the secretary of the Clare Estate Ratepayers Association, said residents were never informed about the municipality’s plan to build a transit camp.
“Two months ago, we saw the land being excavated and when we probed we found out about the camp. We tried to get answers from our councillor but he has not responded to calls or emails.”
She said the municipality should have assessed the area and consulted with the residents before making the decision.
“We pay rates and we should have a say when these life-altering decisions are made,” said Van Rensburg.
“The land that the transit camp is being built on does not look stable and it could collapse during heavy rain.”
Resident Renusha Vahal said the suburb was already overpopulated.
“We have another transit camp in Candover Road. We were told it was going to be fenced-off. But, within months, more people came into the area and now it has become an informal settlement.”
Vahal said there were also two other informal settlements in the suburb.
“Instead of transit camps, the municipality should build proper homes – with running water and electricity. Right now, there are many illegal electricity connections.”
Ashika Bhagwandin, another resident, said criminals used the informal settlements and transit camps as a getaway.
“Added to that, the transit camps are a health hazard because there are no toilet facilities or a means for people to dispose of their dirt.”
She believed the value of their properties would be affected.
“This used to be a sought-after area.
“Residents invested their money to build plush homes but now they are struggling to sell it.”
However, Msawakhe Mayisela, spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, said the area was not a transit camp as the residents claimed.
“This is an existing informal settlement on Burnwood Road. In February, 30 families from Jadhu Place Informal Settlement were allocated the site to make way for access to roads and footpaths, under the Incremental Services Programme.”
The programme aims to improve the living conditions of those living in informal settlements, by providing sanitation, proper roads and solid waste removal.
Mayisela said Jabulani was a local community committee member from the informal settlement and oversaw the self-build process by residents.
“The families are building on their own. Water and sanitation facilities are available in the Burnwood settlement, in walking distance. Additional services will be provided soon, once the construction of temporary shelter is complete.”
He said the councillor for the area and community members were informed.