“This is not a racist fight, this is a fight for humanity and people’s rights,” said feisty Mitchells Plain resident Byron de Villiers.
De Villiers is among residents of Mitchells Plain who have raised their grievances surrounding the possible relocation of hundreds of shack dwellers along Metrorail’s Central Line railway, pointing out that it had nothing to do with race.
The Housing Development Agency (HDA) and Prasa have put forward a proposal to relocate the illegal dwellers to the Weltevreden Wedge at the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA) in ward 43, which was shared among the community on Tuesday.
More than 1 000 people occupy the land along the Central train line which has been out of commission for five years. Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula first visited the site a month ago and was shown land proposed for relocation of the people as the train line needs to operate again.
The Phase 1 relocation will see occupants along the Langa railway reserve move to private land in the Philippi Wedge Area.
The HDA is working on behalf of Prasa for this project funded by the national government.
But various ward councillors and residents from Mitchells Plain have raised concerns about the relocation.
One of these concerns is that backyard dwellers, who for decades have been waiting for houses have once again been ignored.
Community leader and Lentegeur Community Policing Forum chairperson, Byron de Villiers, said residents felt their needs were being overlooked.
“Mitchells Plain is seen as a dumping ground for informal settlements, while we have backyard dwellers who have been on a waiting list for decades.
“That is why we are saying no to the relocation. It has nothing to do with race, we are just fighting for our residents rights as well,” he said.
De Villiers said he felt it was unfair that people who had been illegally occupying land for less than a decade, would be receiving basic services, while those who have followed the process would still be waiting.
He said the community was not only fighting against the relocation of the occupiers, but also the City of Cape Town’s plans.
“The decanting site will be used to temporarily house those who are waiting to be relocated, these people have to apply for the houses being built on the Wedge. What will happen to those who don't qualify, they will obviously stay on the decanting site.
“This is why we are saying why not see to our backyard dwellers? When people invade land they (move up) the housing waiting list and get help,” De Villiers said.
Community leader Natalie Bent said residents expressed their concerns about an increase in protests and crime on Jakes Gerwel Drive and Weltevreden Road.
“The City of Cape Town DA allows ANC to dictate where shack dwellers from Du Noon, Langa and Kosovo and possible other informal settlements move to, with no public participation with Mitchells Plain residents and SAPS,” she said.
Bent said the relocation would also cause a domino effect with delivering services.
Mitchells Plain ward councillor Ashley Potts, added that they were not fighting against the opening of the central line which at a time serviced over 700 000 commuters a day, but wanted those in power to recognise the importance of public participation.
Potts said one of the main issues was the fact that the information that is now in the public domain lacks legal and constitutional requirements of permitting such a process.
“A very important part of the entire process is the call for public participation which allows for all ratepayers to give formal comments which I and all ward councillors will help drive once the process reaches that point of the implementation plan.
“Until then, no relocation will occur so members of the public should not feel ignored. Ward councillors hear the residents' fears and are engaging the proper respective official to ensure the protection of local residents remains a priority.
“Prasa failed to protect their land more than three years ago, that is why we are in this mess.
“I have repeatedly called Prasa to inform them of the illegal squatters setting up shacks on the land and also know that several residents have called and have evidence of Prasa being informed of ongoing cable theft being repeatedly ignored,” Potts said.
Phillip Msini, a community leader from the Yadini informal settlement which borders along the central line, said while they understood the people from Mitchells Plain’s grievances, they were also happy to get help from the government.
“We are happy that the government is buying land for those suffering.
“We did not come and put up houses on the central line even thinking we would get help. We put it up because we do not have money to pay rent, our intention was not to stop the service provided on the railway line,” he said.
Msini said they have struggled for five years without the proper basic services of water, electricity and toilet systems.
“We accept that this is a process and we will work with Prasa because we are just happy they listened to us.
“We have also heard the statements from the areas around where we would be relocated to and we just want to say that we are also human, we are not animals living in a forest.
“We are also not criminals, why would we break things and steal and all those other things?
“They look and talk about us in informal settlements like we are just criminals and robbers, so we are not happy with those statements,” he said.
According to Msini the decanting project was supposed to commence in September, but was delayed due to documents not being signed.
“It is not right that the people from Mitchells Plain wasn’t informed, but we are also waiting for answers,” he said.
He said he hoped that by the time the process was properly followed that the more than 1 300 people from the central line would be accepted.
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town has assured residents that no decision has been taken. Even though the City’s role is limited.
The City's deputy mayor and Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, said they were committed to consulting residents.
“All comments will be duly considered. Residents will have the opportunity to participate and comment on Prasa's proposal to relocate households from the Langa station to these land parcels. We will soon make an announcement.
“For the Phase 2 relocations – these are occupants who are currently living on the rail.
“Any acquisition of land parcels for human settlement purposes by Prasa will be subject to public participation and due process as per the provisions of the Municipal Planning By-Law. All relevant community stakeholders will be thoroughly consulted should Prasa initiate a rezoning application.
“Importantly, the relocations are subject to housing legislation and state housing requirements. The accommodation for relocates would be informed by their housing status as per the Housing Needs Registrar.
“The City does not support queue-jumping and is careful to objectively apply housing laws, which outline emergency accommodation alternatives where there is health and safety risk to people who have settled on land that is not appropriate for housing, such as under power lines, on railway lines, in wetlands and on flood plains,” he said.
The City said it would provide updates on further developments and thanked the communities and implementing partners for the progress that has been made.
Prasa and the HDA had by deadline not responded to Weekend Argus’ enquiry.