Mariannridge shack dwellers’ electricity demands spark protest
The shack dwellers blocked the road and burnt tyres after shacks were demolished by a private company and 27 people left homeless.
SHACK dwellers in eKukhanyeni, Mariannridge burnt tyres and blocked the road near Giba Gorge last Thursday demanding electricity.
The dwellers, who said they are being attacked again, took their frustrations to the roads after their houses were demolished by a private security company.
Abahlali baseMjondolo (the shack dwellers’ organisation) general secretary, Thapelo Mohapi, said the residents who have been appealing for electricty went in their numbers to the Sizakala Centre in Pinetown and demanded the municipality provides them with electricity.
“When they came back from that protest, they found that their houses were being demolished by a private security company. Three of our members were attacked by men driving in two unmarked vehicles and were seriously injured and are currently in hospital,” he said.
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Mohapi said the identity of the men who attacked their members is still not known and they don’t know why 27 people were illegally left homeless.
He said they are aware the ward councillor in the area is very hostile to Abahlali and has vowed to ensure the movement does not exist in his ward as long as he’s still a ward councillor.
“Over the years many ward councillors have made similar statements. Two of them are now in prison and others have been removed from office. Our movement continues to grow in number and strength.”
“The reality is that we have people who are critically injured and families who have been left homeless by people who have no regard for the poor. We will get to the bottom of this matter and organise our strength to confront and repel this attack,” said Mohapi.
Ward 13 councillor, Sifiso ‘Nada’ Ngcobo, said he has tried numerous times to arrange a meeting with the shack dwellers to try and resolve their issues.
“The reality of the matter is that those people are residing there illegally and is not municipal land.”
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Ngcobo said he hosts meetings with members of the community every month.
“Last month other residents in Ward 13 were complaining about the interruption of electricity which has become an ongoing problem for them. They believe that this is caused by the shack dwellers who are stealing and utilising water and electricity which in turn makes it a problem for them.”
“I invited officials from the housing, water and electricity departments to try and resolve the issue. An announcement was made on the day by a group of people who referred to themselves as the shack dwellers committee and told the officials they would not be part of this meeting.
Ngcobo said in the afternoon he went to speak to them and they set up another meeting which is scheduled for this coming Thursday, 15 March.
“I hope they do attend so that we can find a way forward,” he said.
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