Frustrated residents occupy land earmarked for housing development amid construction delays

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30-10-2024
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North Coast Courier
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KwaDukuza municipality purchased the land in 2022 with the intention of building houses, but the project has not yet started.

Rocky Ridge land invaders near Shakaskraal are crying foul, accusing a local security company of destroying their belongings.

Chairperson of the committee representing the invaders, Xolani Malinga, defended their decision to occupy the land illegally, citing unacceptable delays of a municipal housing project.

According to Malinga, the municipality purchased the land in 2022 with the intention of building houses, but the project has not yet started.

Frustrated by the delays, they decided to occupy the land while waiting for construction to begin. He said 400 people have built illegal shacks.

The KwaDukuza municipality ordered the shacks demolished last month after it was granted a court order in the Durban High Court.

Malinga said that Pro Secure security officers have repeatedly arrived at night, demolishing their makeshift homes and burning belongings. Another committee member, Philani Pityo, claims he lost R26 000 in funds collected from residents to cover potential legal costs.

He has opened a case of malicious damage to property at the Umhlali police station.

Residents demand the company compensate them for their destroyed property, including tents used as temporary shelters.

Nkobongo ward councillor Ali Ngidi confirmed the land was bought in 2022 for the Rocky Ridge housing project, which will eventually provide 3 800 houses.

He said the first phase will see the construction of 404 houses. Ngidi said the project was delayed because upgrades of iLembe’s storm water and sanitation systems, planned for the 2025/2026 financial year, had to be completed first.

These upgrades are essential as all houses in the project will have flush toilets.

He condemned the land invasion, saying the residents were obstructing development.

“Some of these individuals are not even from local areas. They come from far away and are given land by locals who decided to invade. There have been countless public meetings about the housing projects,” said Ngidi.

Pro Secure was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of going to print.