Unhumaine living conditions

Tokyo ‘promised’ to help us
26 January 2010
Kingdom Mabuza


WHAT A MESS: Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo inspects living conditions in Diepsloot.PHOTO:VELI NHLAPO.

RESIDENTS of Diepsloot near Fourways in Johannesburg have slammed Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale for not keeping a promise.

Residents of extensions 1 and 2 told Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo and his entourage that Sexwale promised to improve the sewerage system – after spending a night in one of the township shacks in August last year.

Masondo was in the township yesterday to listen to residents’ grievances before meeting ANC members for a party caucus in the area.
“Sexwale said he would make sure that bigger sewerage pipes were installed because every time it rains we cannot sleep in our shacks because of the water,” resident Lizzy Chauke said.
“He promised to come back and check on progress made in developing our area, especially the houses, but nothing has ever been done.
“We thought he was caring when he spent the night in one of the shacks.”
The SA National Civic Association chairperson in Diepsloot, Joe Masemola, also told Masondo that residents had felt awkward when ward councillor Jan Mahlangu visited them – accompanied by armed police.
“We have no plan to harm him but it seems he does not feel safe among the people who elected him,” Masemola said.



http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1107933

Shack dweller: Govt failing us
2010-01-11 17:04
Johannesburg - Government has let us down, a resident at Itireleng informal settlement said on Monday as shacks were demolished by a private security company.

"We don't want to fight and police are fighting us. Our government is failing us," said 33-year-old mother of two Flora Kgaphula.

She was one of about 500 residents whose shacks were demolished on Monday morning by contractors hired by cement manufacturer and land owner PPC, after it obtained an eviction order from the North Gauteng High Court.

Kgaphula, who works as a general worker at Ngua factory in Pretoria, said city Mayor Gwen Ramokgopa had visited the area near Laudium, west of Pretoria, on December 4, to re-assure them they would not be moved from the land.

Mobile toilets installed

She said government had installed mobile toilets for them, raising hope that the settlement would be developed.

Residents said they were not aware that they were occupying private property until they were informed by a man who visited the area in September, claiming to be from PPC.

"He told us that were allowed to build as long as we don't cross the border line when building new shacks," said another resident Themba Mputla.

Mputla, a father of two, sent his wife and children away while he looked after their belongings during the demolitions.

"How will our kids go to school and we can't go to work because there is no one who will watch our property."

He said the residents had raised R5 000 to hire a lawyer on Sunday whom they had not seen since.

"We waited for him... We toyi-toyied in a bid to delay or stop evictions but he didn't [arrive]."

Police assault

Another resident, 28-year-old Adam Tshabalala who is unemployed, said they were now left on the streets and had nowhere to go.

"Where will I sleep tonight?" he asked.

Tshabalala, who had been living in the area for the five past months, claimed he saw a man being assaulted by police.

Residents said police told them to evacuate the area and that police would not leave until the area was cleared.

A woman pleaded with contractors to leave her corrugated iron roof as they tore down her shack, but police were quick to remind her that she was not the only one to have lost her property.

A private matter

Confirming that no alternative accommodation was arranged for the now homeless people of Itireleng, Tshwane community safety head Mpho Mmutle said residents had invaded land belonging to a private company.

"This is a private matter. We were just called to ensure that they honour the court interdict and that no violence takes place," said Mmutle.

He said some of the residents dismantled their own shacks while those who resisted "had the law enforced on them".

"We don't know where they will go. They are adults and I'm sure they know where they come from and where they are going," said Mmutle.

There was a heavy police presence in the area, some on horses and others on foot.

Smouldering tyres and shells from rubber bullets were scattered at the scene, marking residents' determination not to go down without a fight.

One of the houses in Laudium across the street was petrol-bombed by angry Itireleng residents in the early hours of Monday morning. Police, who fired rubber bullets, had calmed the situation by 08:00.

On Sunday, residents marched to the police station to deliver a petition to prevent the evictions. This petition was handed over to the Tshwane council.

http://www.news24.com/Content/SouthAfrica/News/1059/fb25c2bee80a469ba59e650379450985/11-01-2010-05-04/Shack_dweller_Govt_failing_us