Abahlali BaseMjondolo Press Statement
30 August 2012

KwaNdengezi Protest to Councillor Ngcobo of Ward 12

The KwaNdengezi community of Ward 12 under Councillor Mduduzi Ngcobo, will be having a protest on Friday. The reason for the protest is that the councillor has failed to engage with the community and has also failed to fulfil his promises to the community.

In 2010 the Cllr called a consultation meeting with the community and the Housing Department about the housing project that would take place in the community. Before accepting the project the community raised concerns about their families’ grave yards. They said that a housing project should not frustrate people but improve people’s lives. It was agreed that before the project starts another community meeting will be called, to discuss how it should be structured. It was also agreed that as this is a community project therefore it should be driven by the community.

However the promises of the councillor and agreements that they had as a community with the councillor have not been met. The community just saw the project starting without the meeting being called as promised. For more than three times the community have trying to engage with the Councillor by setting up appointments at the councillor’s office. But the councillor has not respected them and has not attended these scheduled meetings. After several times of going to his office, the community leaders called the councillor and explained that the agreement that was agreed upon has been not kept. He promised to come to the community and listen to the people’s grievances and try to find resolutions. But again he did not do so as he promised.

After several times of trying to engage with the councillor and failing, the community have decided to join Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement S.A. The councillor was not happy about this. Lately he has been saying that as a result of the community joining AbM they no longer have a right to use the community resources like community hall.

The community still have confidence in is the Chief of the area which is Chief Shozi, who is the Chief of Mangangeni. He is still willing to listen to the community and to engage them respectfully and seriously.

However the action of the Councillor in violating the community's rights has left them with no choice but to head to the streets.

The protest will be held at Ward 12, Phase 3 at KwaQhobhoza. It will procede via Tomtom Road and Thulani Road heading to the Councillor’s office where the memorandum will be handed over.

The protest will be held on Friday, 31 August 2012. It will start at 10:00am and continue to 12:00pm.

For more information please contact:

Thulisile Ndlovu: 073 535 0279 (Protest Convener)
Mthoko Hlophe: 084 421 1488 (Chief Marshall)
Khanyisile Mdletshe: 072 348 8755 (Community Member)
Bandile Mdlalose: 071 424 2815 (AbM General Secretary)