Squatter camp fears in Birdswood

BIRDSWOOD homeowners fear the many temporary informal housing structures erected for the month-long Shembe Church commemoration services in the eco-sensitive Mpunza Hill forest, may be occupied after the celebrations end tomorrow (Friday) and develop into a permanent settlement.

Countless structures were constructed on the 1.6-hectare plot bordering Pelican Parade Road to accommodate some of the more than 10 000 worshippers since the start of an annual church event on 20 April.

Tents, canopies and vendor stalls were this week still lined up alongside makeshift streets and pathways created on the property, where indigenous forest trees was cut down against the orders of the KZN MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development, Dr Mechack Radebe.

‘It looks like a new township is developing on our doorstep,’ said one resident, who asked to remain anonymous.

The concern is that there are no guarantees that the structures would be broken down and not illegally occupied, creating a squatter camp situation as has happened elsewhere in the country.

Attempts were made to obtain comment from either the uMhlathuze Municipality or MEC Radebe relating to assurances that this would not happen, but neither could be reached by the time of going to print.

However, a senior Shembe Church member said all structures, including those constructed from wooden panels, would be dismantled and removed this weekend once their religious event officially ended tomorrow.

In the past month, the church has come under fire for causing noise pollution in the area and congregants taking over Birdswood parking vehicles and pitching tents in front of residential homes as well as ‘destroying’ the forest.

One Birdswood resident said a portion of the forest should have been cleared legally by the municipality for parking space to prevent the debacle of cars jamming up Pelican Parade Road.

‘Mpunza Hill originally belonged to these people before they were sent to Mandlazini,’ said Thabe Shange. Considering that the rest of Birdswood’s forestry was destroyed for suburban houses, churches and schools, I think enough forestry land at Mpunza could have been used for a large enough parking area to accommodate all the people who ended up using Birdwood’s sidewalks.

‘With so many people coming together, the municipality really should have planned ahead,’ said Shange.

‘Shembe followers have the right to worship – just not in the road.’