Published at 15h31 on Sept 15, 2008
The bulldozer [coming to destroy what is left of the settlement] has been stopped. The Legal Resources Centre is on the way. If any further attempt is made to knock down any of the fully or partially rebuilt shacks before this is resolved legally the entrance roads into the settlement will be barricaded. People will defend their right to their homes, to this land and to the city.
Foreman Road residents note with concern that the article in this afternoon’s Daily News, which is below, (1) fails to consult any residents of Foreman Road while only consulting the police, the Housing Department and the Councillor and that (2) according to this article Yacoob Baig, a councillor who shack dwellers have rejected since 2005, and the Housing Department will decide whether people will be allowed to stay at Foreman Road or moved to one of the notorious temporary relocation areas.
It is up to the residents of Foreman Road to decide the future of the community not Yacoob Baig or Cogi Pather.
Foreman Road is our home. We are urbanites. We live and work and school here. We will not be moved. If the City will not give us building materials we will rebuild the settlement ourselves. This land is ours.
We repeat: Nothing for us without us. We repeat: Talk to us, not for us.
People in Foreman Road are very angry at the moment.
We ask for electricity and taps and fire hydrants to stop the fires and they do nothing. When we push them they say that it is not policy to give shack dwellers electricity and fire hydrants. But when our shacks burn they are there super quickly with bulldozers. They can move when they want to. They can move when they think the can exploit a disaster to reruralize the people.
Sekwanele!
Contact Mnikelo Ndabankulu on or George Bonono on 0782245441
http://www.dailynews.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4590435
Fire leaves thousands homeless
September 15, 2008 Edition 1
SLINDILE MALULEKA
One person died, more than 3 000 people have been left homeless and more than 800 informal dwellings have burned down in the Foreman Road informal settlement in Clare Hills, Durban, after a fire on Saturday morning.
Residents claimed that the fire was started by a candle which was left to burn while the occupants of a shack slept.
The fire spread rapidly from one shack to another and resulted in the death of Thembelani Khweshube, 30.
Supt Muzi Mngomezulu, provincial communications officer for the South African Police Service, said an inquest docket had been opened.
The area’s ward councillor, Yacoob Baig, said a decision would be taken in a meeting with the municipal housing department on whether to house the displaced residents at the site of the fire or to propose temporary housing elsewhere.
Koglan Pather, head of the city housing department, said council would ensure there was adequate shelter, ablution facilities and water.
“We have put up six tents and have ordered three more. We have also put in four chemical portable toilets and are awaiting six more,” said Pather. He said there was also clean water on site.
“This is until a more permanent solution can be found,” he said.
NGOs have offered to lend a hand in supplying food parcels, hot meals and blankets.
Trevor Stevens, divisional commander of eThekwini Fire and Emergency Services, said the fire was extensive and five hose lines and two water tankers were used to extinguish the blaze.
Stumble It!
[...] 15h31 on Monday 15 September, 2008 [...]