Warwick Bruce Chapman

Despite assurances that the planned illegal evictions in Cato Crest had been stopped, late this afternoon residents were surprised when 5 dwellings were destroyed in what would appear to be a politically motivated action.

Today at 3pm the DA’s councillor in Cato Crest Hlanganani Gumbi and DA Spokesperson on Housing Cllr Warwick Chapman met with Mayor James Nxumalo to discuss the illegal threats of evictions in Cato Crest by the ward councillor and ANC Branch Executive Committee in the area. While the meeting was taking place, unknown to the DA or the Mayor, earthmoving machinery demolished 5 dwellings in Cato Crest.

Mayor Nxumalo and Chairperson for Human Settlements Cllr Nigel Gumede both unequivocally stated the evictions must be lawful and alternate accommodation must be provided. Mayor Nxumalo requested that the DA compile a formal complaint and submit it to the Muncipal Manager Mr Sbu Sithole as soon as possible and forward a copy to his office. He assured the DA that an investigation would take place from the City Manager’s office into how it is that a political structure of the ANC could be handling evictions and demolitions in Cato Crest.

The demolitions which were taking while the meeting was being held were undertaken under the supervision of the ward councillor’s assistant who is said by community members to have told them that, “We are coming here to show you that you must move”, and after demolishing the structures said, “Now you can call your DA.”

Cllr Gumbi, took affected residents to Cato Manor SAPS to lay charges relating to the demolition of their structures and destruction of property, however SAPS declined to open any cases. “We were told not to open new cases but instead to meet with the investigating officer Tuesday morning to include these charges in the existing case”, said Cllr Gumbi.

Cllr Gumbi has spend the better part of 48 hours working with community members to stop this illegal action. The SAPS have been extremely reluctant to enforce the law and prevent these illegal evictions. Only after senior MPs and MPLs intervened was any assistance from SAPS forthcoming. At the demolitions which took place today, SAPS did not respond.

The DA reiterates its full support for the eradication of shack settlements and the provision of formal housing in eThekwini. We however require that each step in the process of converting shack settlements into formal housing are undertaken lawfully and with respect for the dignity of those affected as a result. “We condemn the direct involvement of political structures in the work of our City government and cite it as a blatant example of the conflation of party and state”, said Cllr Chapman.

“We call on Mayor Nxumalo and City Manager Sbu Sithole to intervene as a matter of urgency and stop any further illegal action. SAPS also need to ensure they enforce the law without favour.”, said Cllr Gumbi.

MEDIA QUERIES:
Gumbi 076 288 8844
Chapman 083 7797 094

PHOTOS:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2327740/eThekwini/IMG-20120116-00131.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2327740/eThekwini/IMG-20120116-00132.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2327740/eThekwini/IMG-20120116-00133.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2327740/eThekwini/IMG-20120116-00134.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2327740/eThekwini/IMG-20120116-00135.jpg

ENDS

Dear Editor

Firstly, to the resident who SMS’d last week about the derelict house in Somerset Ave, the formal processes for remedy have been exhausted and the issue has now been handed over to the enforcement team for action to be taken against the property owner. Unfortunately these things do take time but you can rest assured that in the background the cogs are moving.

To the land owners in Essex and Enfield roads who are working to clean up their derelict buildings, thank you very much for doing your bit to rid this community of grime and contribute to our efforts to combat crime. With the support of eThekwini officials we are also following up on other derelict houses including those in Evans Rd, Davenport Ave, Macdonald Rd and Bartle Rd.

You might ask what it is that you can do as a member of this community, or any other for that matter, to contribute to cleaning up and improving safety? In short, you can help in one of two areas: crime and grime. Combating crime is only effective when the community partners with SAPS, and getting involved with the Community Policing Forum is the most effective way of achieving that. Neighbourhood watches which work in conjunction with the CPF are another. Ridding our community of grime makes criminals feel less at home, and when we feel safer to be out and about in our numbers, we reduce the spaces in which criminals operate. We do this by maintaining our buildings, keeping vacant plots and bushes under control, cleaning our parks, and ensuring our public infrastructure is in a good state of repair.

You can help by taking initiative where you see a problem to either mobilise community members and tackle the problem ourselves or to work with public officials to find a solution. We have much to do in both combating crime and ridding our community of grime but a collective desire to improve will ensure we see the change we need. Inch by inch, with the support of community members, we will make Umbilo and Glenwood among the safest and most friendly places to live in eThekwini.

Warwick Chapman, Ward Councillor for Glenwood and Umbilo

NOTE: More information about the festival can be found at www.dglff.org.za.

John Adams, in an attempt to justify to his wife his extended absences from home, once famously said in a letter:

“I must study politics and war, that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, natural history and naval architecture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, tapestry, and porcelain.”

I believe the sentiment encapsulated in the quote speaks to the social progress we must experience in order to become the advanced society we dream of. In South Africa, however, this progress is somewhat more simultaneous than generational as it was in America.

Our history has bequeathed us a an unequal society where, where while a great many are fortunate enough to study and practice the arts, many others have not even had the opportunity of a quality education.

It is thus that our artistic expression so often has the opportunity of a finding context in our developing democracy.

I urge our artists to use your creative expression:
to highlight the many pressing issues facing our society;
to celebrate where we breakthrough;
to celebrate our diversity and reconciliation;
to build bridges between races, classes, cultures and religions;
and to motivate our communities to continue to contribute to building a truly prosperous and tolerant society

I am thrilled that this inaugural festival is taking place in Glenwood and I hope that it signals the growing popularity of this community as a flashpoint for arts and culture. Indeed, central to the plans for the regeneration and ongoing sustainable management of Bulwer Park is a open air amphitheatre able to seat 2000 people.

Personally, I cannot wait for the day when we can enjoy our first performance at the heart of this diverse and vibrant creative community.

Thank you Jason for inviting me, thank you for bringing this event to Glenwood and thank you to everyone involved in making this event and the films we will share possible. I look forward to next year’s event.

The Speaker
eThekwini Municipality
Councillor Logie Naidoo

NOTICE OF MOTION IN TERMS OF RULE OF ORDER 13

This council noting:

1. The public, political parties, civil society organizations, trade unions and the chamber of commerce have stated their opposition to the tolling of highways within eThekwini;

2. There is no single, safe, effective public transport system that would provide an alternative to the residents of eThekwini;

Resolves that:

1. Council declares its opposition to the proposed tolls within eThekwini;

2. Council directs the Mayor and Executive Committee to take steps to intervene on behalf of eThekwini residents against the tolls, by engaging SANRAL through the avenues afforded by the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act;

3. That, should SANRAL proceed with the tolling regardless of the engagement, that the metro interdict SANRAL from implementing tolling.

Proposer
WB Chapman

Seconder
A Beetge

The Addington Childrens Hospital has for long been a point of concern for many Durbanites. Not only does the crumbling landmark detract from the area as a whole, but given the need for hospital space and child focused health services in South Africa, it is tragic that it is not being used as intended.

Image: Chris Bloom

I was asked by a constituent to find out what was happening with the hospital so I approached Real Estate Department at eThekwini Municipality as a first step. This is the response:

The Hospital is located on Portions 22, 23 & 24 of Erf 10054 Durban which were sold and transferred by the erstwhile City Council, together with certain school sites, to the State under a single Deed of Transfer.

The MEC of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has previously announced that the Province has decided to reopen the Addington Children’s Hospital after appropriate renovations.

Since this seems now to be a project* being run by the provincial department of health, I will now follow this issue up with members of the provincial legislature and see what feedback I can get.

* Some interesting links relating to the project:
http://theridgeonline.co.za/r118m-for-addington/
http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/Addington/childhosp1.pdf