VIDEO: Residents tired of ‘living like sardines’
Mariannridge residents want an update on the housing project.
HOUSING protests have started again in Mariannridge after residents demanded the homes they were promised in 2012.
The residents of Mariannridge protested for the first time in 2012, blockading Milky Way going into and out of the area with rubbish and burning tyres.
On Tuesday, 26 January, the residents marched to the primary and high schools and closed them, sending teachers and children home. The roads were barricaded with tree branches and broken bottles.
The community is demanding a meeting with Ward 13 councillor, Mdu Gumede, and a Department of Housing representative. “We want our houses and better service delivery. Promises were made in 2012, it’s now 2016 and we are fed up of living like sardines,” said community member, Sharon Ogle.
The community is mostly upset about not being updated about the housing project’s progress. “The protest is our last resort. We have sent requests to meet with the councillor, but he has not made himself available,” Ogle said.
The protesters stated that since the councillor has not made himself available to meet with them, they want the mayor to address them.
Community members invaded land to build shacks and the municipality sent the Red Ants company to demolish them. “People from other countries have come to build on our land, but we can’t,” she said.
They said the land that is available must be allocated.
“In 2011 they said they will get back to us and inform us about the process,” said Ogle. The community was shown plans of the houses to be built for them after the strike in 2012. They renovated the park and built an outdoor gym, which we don’t really need since we don’t have houses,” she said.
Some people have occupied the sports ground facilities. One of the women from the community said she lives in the boys’ changing rooms with her four children.
Sipho Mthethwa, member of the municipality’s Rapid Response Team, came to address the community and to hear their concerns.
“I am glad the community has cooperated this time around without destroying any of the municipal property,” he said. Mthethwa said the housing project is not a municipal project but a Department of Human Settlements project.
“As the municipality, we are also waiting for communication from the Department of Human Settlements,” he said.
Mthethwa promised the community that a representative from the Department of Human Settlements was on their way to address them, but the community said that no one arrived.
