NOLUVO MGIJIMA
RESIDENTS of Lusikisiki and Flagstaff took to the streets to express their frustration and anger after a number of homes were torn down by the Ingquza Hill Local municipality recently.
Close to 50 residents of the Ndabisa village in Lusikisiki have been living in fear of losing what they described as “hard-earned homes”. They claimed that they received notices of possible demolitions.
A resident in Ndabisa, Mzwandile Mtyukatha, said that he has been living in the area for more than five years.
He said he received a notice to vacate or face demolition.
“I have built a house for my family after consulting with the local chief. It surprises me to hear that the municipality is claiming the land. The municipality never engaged the community about the illegal occupation of the land,” he said, adding that he was shocked to hear that the municipality was claiming the land.
“I only received a piece of paper that was hanging on my gate. The municipality never engaged the community,” he added.
In the Enkululekweni area, Viwe Magocoba and his family found themselves without a home after his fully furnished house was pulled down by a TLB on April 18.
She said she witnessed the demolition of the house.
“On the day, I took the children to a local church to avoid them witnessing their home being demolished. It was the worst moment of my life to witness my belongings flying around and being destroyed by a TLB,” a tearful Magocoba explained.
She said it was impossible for her to save her home as she was not afforded the opportunity. Now that their home was destroyed, she said they were renting a small back room in the area.
Other affected villagers whose homes were demolished could not celebrate Good Friday as they had to seek alternative places in which to live.
Other residents have called for psychological support especially for children who witnessed their homes being destroyed in a minute.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, marches were conducted in Lusikisiki and Flagstaff to the local municipality to hand over grievances over the demolition of houses.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Eastern Cape provincial secretary Simthembile Madikizela has described the demolition as inhuman.
“We want the municipality to stop the demolition of houses. The municipality needs to conduct proper engagements with communities,” he said. Meanwhile, a number of stalls, containers and structures have also been removed in Lusikisiki.
The Ingquza Hill Local Municipality clarified that not all hawker stalls and containers were being removed; only those that were illegal and unauthorised.
“We intend to develop and protect our towns, and municipal commonage, so that there is enough land for development,” the municipality said in a statement.
