Khanya Collage brings services closer to communities

Khanya Collage (KC) partnered with various stakeholders to provide residents of Kliptown with free legal advice and health care services, during the Mass Legal Advice Day, at PUSH, EXT 7, Eldorado Park, on June 20.

Prompted by the reality of inequality that exists in the country and the high levels of unemployment in marginalised communities, the organisation partnered with SASSA, Legal Aid South Africa (LASA) and Joburg Ombudsman to service the community.

Other stakeholders included Kopang Africa Against Xenophobia, Black Sash, Casual Workers Advice Office, Lawyers for Human Rights, Probono, Academic Citizenship Economic (ACE) and Eldorado Park Women’s Forum.

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They offered general legal advice on housing and labour matters, access to health care and SASSA SRD grants among others.

However, scores of community members who sought services from the Gauteng Department of Home Affairs (GDHA) were disappointed after the department failed to attend the event.

According to the project coordinator, Nosipho Mdletshe from KC, they did not receive an apology from GDHA.

“We had to call because the people were sitting here waiting. Before the phone call, GDHA did not communicate any changes regarding their attendance,” said Mdletshe.

She said this was unacceptable, especially after the elections, citing that they campaigned with a ticket of service delivery but failed to deliver when given the opportunity.

“I do feel like people are blaming us, however, I think they understand because there is a general mistrust of government institutions.

“As event organisers, we must take accountability for announcing that home affairs would be present, we will address the issue.”

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The event was themed ‘Know your rights and get Legal advice’ and many people queued to get legal assistance on various matters.

Mdletshe further noted that generally, poverty-stricken families and individuals cannot afford legal advice, and even in times of need, they do not know where to go for legal issues.

She said the stakeholders they brought do not only advise people but they take on some of the cases until they are concluded.

“Our mission is to educate communities and give them resources and skills so they can fight their own battles. We do not want to fight for people; we would rather fight alongside them because our work is based on the grassroots level,” said Mdletshe.

The principal attorney at LASA, Audrey Malatlhela said the common legal challenges they deal with are mostly about family-related property disputes.

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Scenarios that playout in many families across most townships are mostly between siblings or family members fighting over the estates of the deceased parents.

These are either done fraudulently to exclude or steal from rightful owners or intimidate and produce fake documents.

According to Malatlhela, victims have several options to defend themselves should they face a similar challenge.

She said in an eviction matter, a respondent must have a legal defence against the application for eviction.

This can be due to the applicant’s lack of local citizenship, lack of legal case, or lack of a cause of action.

The applicant may also have a low caste defence, claiming ownership was passed through fraud.

“The court must consider these factors before granting an eviction order. In many cases, the municipality is the third respondent, as they must provide alternative accommodation.

“The court must ensure that the person residing on the property has alternative accommodation before granting an eviction order.”

She explained that the municipality must also provide alternative accommodation under the PIE Act of 1998.

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Farheem Alley from ACE said their focus was on children that are in conflict with the law. They are referred by the court and schools to enrol on a 10-week diversion programme.

They educate them about self-awareness, self-esteem, conflict, anger management and bullying.

They also have a crime prevention programme, social workers and a reading club to help struggling children.

“People are facing a lot of challenges and we invite them to enquire and find out how they can get help from our services,” said Alley.