KDM demolishes illegal structures in Shayamoya after court order
The demolishment was fast-tracked after structures were built with increasing frequency over the past few days.
Several illegally-erected structures were demolished in the Rocky Ridge area of Shayamoya this afternoon after the KwaDukuza Municipality was granted a court order in the Durban High Court.
Rocky Ridge is municipally-owned land which is earmarked for a housing development.
According to KwaDukuza mayoral spokesperson, Sphelelo Ngobese, the illegal occupation had been ongoing for a while but saw a sharp upturn in the past few days.
“With the support of law enforcement agencies, the municipality has acted in accordance with the order which interdicts and restrains any person from entering, erecting, or occupying any structure on the property,” said Ngobese.
“It also grants the municipality the right to take all reasonable steps to prevent any persons from entering the property.”
A group of about 50 frustrated Shayamoya residents marched to the Umhlali police station after the demolishment in a bid to open a case against the municipality.
Once they were told that no case could be opened against the municipality, given the correct procedures had been followed, the group dispersed.
It is the second illegal settlement-related march in as many days on the North Coast, following the peaceful protest from Shaka’s Head to Ballito yesterday.
The march was organised by shack dwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo to demand housing access and fair treatment for those living in the illegally-settled land near Shaka’s Head.
The settlers had previously been served with court papers as the municipality moved towards eviction.
KwaDukuza Mayor Lindile Nhaca said she had received the memorandum delivered in yesterday’s protests and thanked the protest organisers and authorities for remaining peaceful.
She also reaffirmed the municipality’s stance on illegal occupation of municipal land.
“We have said time and again that selling, allocating or occupying council land without proper documentation is a criminal activity,” said Nhaca.
“We will therefore continue to implement the order [at Rocky Ridge] by ejecting all transgressors within the property, by demolishing any existing structure, and removing possessions or structures including building material on site.”
She called on communities to report cases of illegal land occupation to the police.
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