Cato Manor shack dwellers begin rebuild after City demolition
Shack Dwellers Movement, Abahlali Basemjondolo, says some of the shacks that were demolished at the weekend in Durban's Cator Manor have been rebuilt.
On Sunday, eThekwini's City Land Invasion Unit demolished a number of informal dwellings in Nsimbini, which it says were illegal.
The destruction of the shacks angered some residents - who then barricaded the N2 near Edwin Swales with burning tyres and debris in protest.
Abahlali Basemjondolo founder and president Sbu Zikode says they are concerned about the recent evictions...
"The evictions were of course unlawful, they acknowledged that. Then they said to us they did not authorize (the) destruction of shacks. We were able to convene and secure an urgent meeting with authorities, with the very same senior management of the Anti Land Invasion Unit, and they promised us that the evictions would be stopped.
In statement on Monday, the municipality warned against land invasion and the illegal occupation of municipal property, adding that taking down illegal structures required a joint effort from all stakeholders.
Mayor James Nxumalo says while citizens can exercise their democratic rights, the destruction of infrastructure cannot be justified.
Last month, illegal shacks at the Kennedy Road Informal Settlement were also demolished - leading to similar protests.
In one incident, a municipal bus was petrol bombed while in transit with a load of passengers. More than a dozen commuters were hurt.