Residents on high alert to prevent land invasions

RESIDENTS in Clare Estate are on high alert to prevent land invasions. The recent rains washed away homes in Quarry Road. While some of those affected were given temporary shelter at a local church, not everyone could be accommodated.

With little support from the eThekwini Municipality, some of those who lost their homes, tried to build on privately owned land on Membrey and Spencer roads.

As a result, residents in the area have been patrolling the streets.

According to one resident, last Thursday a group of people arrived at the back of his property, cleared the bushes and marked the area.

“I am elderly, so I sought help from the community. They called the municipality’s land invasion unit and managed to get the group off my property. Through our communication with them, we found out they lived in an informal settlement.

“We are aware that they have lost everything and we sympathise with them, but our properties cannot be used for housing.

“It is land that we have paid for. It does not belong to the city. We need a proper solution.”

Another resident said: “It is heart-breaking to see children and women left on the street because of this disaster.

“It has been more than a week and the municipality does not have a concrete plan to help residents. We worked hard for the land we bought. It cannot just be taken away from us. Where is the fairness? Why must rates paying residents suffer because the municipality is failing?”

Sipho Shezi, the spokesperson for some people who were affected by the floods, said most of them had lost everything.

“The rain came. It destroyed our homes. There are still three people buried under the rubble. Many of us have lost personal documents. There are women and children sleeping on the ground without a shelter.”

Shezi said officials from the municipality visited and promised help.

“We are still waiting for help. Some residents saw the vacant land on Spencer Road and Membrey Road, and tried to build homes, but stopped when they found out it was private and not municipal land.”

Alicia Kissoon, the DA councillor for the area, said that once dispersed, the groups left the area and protested on the M19.

“It is unacceptable that ratepayers have to live in fear of land invasions due to the inability of the municipality to provide adequate shelter for residents who lost their homes.”

During a meeting in the aftermath of the floods, Premier Sihle Zikalala said with effect from last week the Department of Human Settlements would lead a programme to identify land for temporary relocation.

He said the department would facilitate the provision of temporary shelter and work on long-term interventions.

The Department of Human Settlements and the city failed to respond to requests for comment.