The delay is due to Yakoob Baig....the building materials have arrived but, unlike in Kennedy where the community organisation distributed them, here the councillor has to distribute them and he is nowhere to be found......

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4637793

Call for temporary homes to be fast-tracked

October 01, 2008 Edition 1

GUGU MBONAMBI

Thousands of frustrated residents at the Foreman Road informal settlement in Clare Hills, Durban, are calling for the eThekwini Municipality to fast-track the construction of temporary shacks after more than 2 000 shacks were destroyed by fire two weeks ago.

The Mercury continues to report as if the Councillor's connection is an elected representative in Foreman Road....But it is interesting how both she and the councillor are now making some of the old Abahlali demands - taps, fire hydrants, houses. Although Baig is still talking about relocation and his handful of people in the settlement are welcoming the bulldozers....The morning after the fire a mass meeting open to all was held by the residents. A clear decision was taken to rebuild and not to accept a transit camp on the site or elsewhere.Clearly the people's views do no count for the councillor, the housing department or the newspaper...

Ma Mjoli is Cllr Yakoob Baig's person in Foreman Road, not the elected chairperson. But today she is speaking like an Umhlali....

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4611036

Blaze kills one, destroys homes
Fire leaves thousands destitute

September 15, 2008 Edition 1

GUGU MBONAMBI

DESTITUTE householders picked at the burnt remains of their shacks yesterday after fire gutted more than 2 000 informal homes at the Foreman Road settlement in Clare Hills, Durban, at the weekend.

One man burnt to death in the Saturday morning inferno.

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4579178

Student's family want answers

August 27, 2008 Edition 1

GUGU MBONAMBI

THE family of Mthokozisi Nkwanyana, the 20-year-old University of South Africa student who died during a protest, say they are trying to raise funds for his funeral on Saturday.

Nkwanyana was a second-year political science student at the university, and the family depended on his success and hoped that he would one day save them from their anguish and poverty.

Now the impoverished family are desperately seeking funds, and appealing to the public and well-wishers to assist them with the funeral arrangements.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3045&art_id=vn20080804052925829C145416

Eight killed as fires raze settlements

August 04 2008 at 07:31AM

By Gugu Mbonambi

Eight people, including several children, died and dozens were left homeless after fires swept through two shack settlements in Durban at the weekend.

Ward 31 councillor Gloria Borman said five people, who had been locked in a shack and were unable to get out, were burnt beyond recognition.