Durban march: Residents facing eviction speak
At the forefront of a massive march in Durban, hosted by movement Abahlali baseMjondolo, was a group of blind residents who powered through the three kilometre walk.
At least a thousand protesters marched from Curries Fountain to the Durban City Hall - demanding jobs, housing and access to basic services. They were also drawing attention to violent evictions in informal settlements in Durban.
Forty-nine-year-olds, Khanyisile Shandu and Joyce Mchunu and 60-year-old Lucy Nkabinde held hands as they walked with the crowd, their walking sticks the only thing to guide them.
They are three of at least thirty occupants said to be facing eviction from the Enduduzweni Centre for the disabled in Umlazi.
This comes after the KZN Department of Social Development decided to close down the centre for renovations.
Nkabinde says they feel like once they leave Enduduzweni, the department will not allow them back.
However, communications manager at the department Vukani Mbhele, says Enduduzweni is for disabled people to acquire skills and then leave.
"The challenge now is that you have people living there since the 70s because some of them feel that they need to live there permanently but there are negotiations with them," he said.
Mbhele says the matter is currently in court because occupants refuse to leave.
"Last year, we received a letter from the Department of Public Works saying the building is not in a condition for people to live there so people had to be removed. We then communicated the matter with the people who lived there. They refused to leave. So, currently the matter is with the court," he said.