SHACK dwellers from the Ezimeleni squatter camp in Umlazi V section, south of Durban, have started to rebuild their shacks again.
This comes after the eThekwini municipality allegedly sent private security guards to demolish about 100 of their shacks on Friday.
They told Daily Sun that they were rebuilding their shacks on the same spot because they do not have anywhere else to go to.
Resident Phelelani Phungula (38) claimed this was the fourth time in the space of one month that the municipality had sent security guards to demolish the residents’ shacks.
“After they have destroyed our shacks, we rebuild them with the little they leave us because we do not have anywhere else to go. It is a painful situation that we are helplessly facing,” said Phelelani.
He said they were unhappy about the treatment they received from the municipality and ward councillor.
“It is as if we are not voters. Most of our corrugated iron was damaged. Our belongings, such as our electrical appliances, food and cellphones, were destroyed in the process,” he said.
“They should consider building RDPs for us somewhere.”
Ward councillor Robert Mzobe said: “The land they are on belongs to the municipality. The municipality has the right to evict them any time because they have invaded the land unlawfully.”
The phone of the spokeswoman for eThekwini municipality, Tozi Mtheth-wa, rang unanswered since Saturday.
Meanwhile her deputy, Mandla Nsele, refused to comment other than saying: “I told you: I am not at work. I have been off since Friday. How am I going to give you a comment?”
