Shaka’s Head squatters march into Ballito to protest eviction plans
The eviction application is expected to be heard in court before the end of October, but a protest is scheduled for today.
The shack dwellers’ group Abahlali baseMjondolo has announced plans to lead a march in Ballito today in protest against the municipality’s plans to evict illegal residents from Shaka’s Head.
Abahlali baseMjondolo, a socialist movement advocating for land, housing, and dignity, released a poster promoting the march, which calls for action against ‘forced removals, evictions, and racism’.
The march is scheduled to begin after 09:00 and will conclude at the KwaDukuza Municipal offices on Leonora Drive.
In August, a sheriff of the court served eviction papers to those living illegally in the area. The case is expected to be heard in the high court before the end of October.
While the municipality remains confident of winning the eviction case, the situation echoes that of Taffeni, an illegally settled township in Sheffield, which won a landmark court case against the municipality in August last year.
KwaDukuza Municipality originally took 100 illegal occupiers to court in 2019, seeking eviction to proceed with a mixed-use municipal housing project. However, after a lengthy four-year legal battle and objections from the occupiers’ legal representatives, the municipality ultimately settled with the now 300 residents. They are set to be housed in the new project.
Umhlali police spokesperson Captain Vinny Pillay confirmed that police are aware of the planned march.
“Residents should prepare for potential traffic disruptions and are advised to make arrangements to get to work or school early,” said Pillay.
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