KwaDukuza denies forced removals at Shaka’s Head
KwaDukuza Municipality has refuted claims of forced removals in Ballito on the north coast.
Abahlali baseMjondolo has accused the municipality of trying to move Shaka's Head residents to Vlakspruit.
The shack dwellers' movement says the municipality failed to engage meaningfully before pressing ahead with relocation plans to a site with no electricity, water, or transport.
However, KwaDukuza spokesperson Sifiso Zulu says the reasons for the evictions were clearly explained to community members.
" We are not going to fight over planning rights or responsibilities with an organisation that is not assigned by the Constitution. That is the first thing. Through the process of consultation with the communities, that land was identified to address the needs of the explosive population of Shaka's Head. They need a high school for their kids. They need a clinic. Now, those people occupied land illegally."
Abahlali took the matter to court.
Zulu says proceedings have been postponed to allow for proper consultations.
"We are at a stage now where the court ruled that because there are other people who have not been meaningfully engaged, who are not cited in your papers as the plaintiff, the municipality must go back and consult those people meaningfully so that when the matter is heard in court, they are also part of the process. They are represented by an attorney. You can demonstrate as a municipality that you have meaningfully engaged them."
Find us on social media
Follow the ECR Newswatch WhatsApp channel here
MORE ON ECR
