RESIDENTS of ward 17 in Shallcross are up in arms after the only green space in the community, “Jamaica Park”, has reportedly been earmarked for a housing development for the 2022 flood victims.
The residents said they feared the consequences it would have for the community, who were already battling frequent water and electricity outages and failing infrastructure, among other service delivery issues.
Last week, some of the residents took to the streets in protest after workers were seen trying to put up fencing around the park, situated between Klaarwater Road and Olympia Street.
Marcus Richards, spokesperson for the Shallcross Civic and Ratepayers Association (Scara), said after hearing about the project in September last year, they had raised their objections.
“It started when residents noticed a TLB in the park. When they questioned the driver, he said that they were testing the soil as there was a proposed housing development earmarked for the site. The residents were shocked and concerned as they had not been informed of any possible development, let alone for housing.
“After doing our own investigation, we found out that there was plans to build just over 40 units for about 250 people that had been victims of the 2022 floods. However, our ward did not have any victims. We found out that the units would be for the victims from the areas around Shallcross and Chatsworth,” he said.
Richards said the community had also handed over a petition and written objections to the eThekwini Municipality.
“We have yet to receive any feedback. What is most frustrating, the municipality did not see a need to have any sort of public participation prior to going ahead with this project. We should have been able to raise our concerns, as this is the community we live in, and it has been home for most of the residents since birth.
“However, while we are not against people having homes, it is their basic right, what conditions are they going to live in? Currently, we are faced with frequent water outages. Restoration can also take up to 48 hours. Sadly, out of 30 days in the month, about 22 are without water. We also question, when was the last time the municipality upgraded the water or sewerage systems in the area? Our infrastructure was greatly affected after the floods, why hasn’t anything been done to repair or upgrade it?,” he said.
Richards added that the park was the only green space in the area, which was used for various activities.
“Apart from it being a safe place for our children to play, it is also used for sporting activities such as soccer tournaments. We also use it for flea-markets and car shows. The local religious institutes also use it for their events or community upliftment initiatives and feeding projects.
“The residents feel that there has been a protracted and set manner in the way things are being done in order to keep us in the dark. However, the authorities need a wake-up call, as we are part of the six -percent tax-base that is keeping the coffers of this government open, and they need to realise that. Our financial power and physical authority will come to the fore if need be. We are neither afraid or intimidated,” he said.
Richards said the residents had since been working tirelessly together with various stakeholders including non-profit organisations, attorneys and environmental specialists, who have called for an intervention from the authorities.
Reverend Ethan Ramkuar, one of the directors of the Survival Centre, a non-profit organisation, said they have since written to the city and KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
“As an organisation we stand with the community of ward 17 in opposing this project based on the fact that there is collapsing infrastructure, the park is a green space and we believe the processes are flawed. However, we have since received a response from COGTA, who will be intervening. We believe something positive will come out of it.”
The eThekwini Municipality and KZN COGTA did not respond at the time of going to print.