First a devastating fire, now eviction looms for 3,000 shack dwellers in Pretoria

Many residents survive by waste picking at nearby dumpsites. (Photo: Silver Sibiya)

19 Sep 2024

Residents of Mahlangu informal settlement are facing an uncertain future as they brave eviction threats and rebuild after a devastating fire, living without basic services while facing the looming shadow of being forced off the land they call home.

Families have returned to rebuild their shacks in Mahlangu informal settlement in Olievenhoutbosch, Pretoria, after a devastating fire destroyed more than 200 homes. But they face another threat: eviction from the land.

Approximately 3,000 people live in the informal settlement, according to the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department.

The department said 230 people affected by the fire were temporarily housed in two church shelters, but these were closed on 13 September.

Some of those affected by the fire have rented places elsewhere in the township. Others, like Lesotho national Thabang Motshekga, have returned to Mahlangu and rebuilt their shacks.

Philip Mampana has lived in Mahlangu informal settlement for 40 years. (Photo: Silver Sibiya)

Motshekga, who has been living in the area since 2014, said he and his girlfriend had nearly died in the fire.

“When I woke up it was smoke and fire all over my shack,” he said. “We couldn’t save any of our belongings. I’m happy to be alive but I’m still heartbroken.

“I had to rebuild, it’s the only option I have,” he said.

No electricity or running water

The settlement has no electricity or running water. People rely on two water tanks that are filled by trucks, and some use water from a well dug at a water source on one side of the settlement to wash clothes and blankets. There are eight communal chemical toilets.

Those who can afford to, use small batteries to listen to a radio.

In April, lawyers for Crecora Investments, which owns the land, served residents with a letter of demand, giving them 30 days to leave the land, after which the owners would proceed with a court application for eviction.

The letter, from Patel Incorporated Attorneys, said the land had “considerable dolomite deposits”. “This is a considerable hazard and not suitable for settlement as it could and can result in sinkholes which can cause fatal injuries and loss of life,” the letter read.

Asked by GroundUp whether the owners had gone to court, attorney Ziyaad Patel declined to answer. GroundUp has not been able to reach Crecora Investments directly.

Philip Mampana says he came from KwaNdebele in Mpumalanga and settled in the area in 1982. He said recycling from nearby dumps was the main source of income for most residents.

He also did a little gardening. Mampana said most of the residents arrived between 2005 and 2010 and were from Lesotho.

“We also have people from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and other locals.”

Sitting with Mampana, listening to old disco music when GroundUp visited, was Paulos Matheswa from Mozambique.

Many residents survive by waste picking at nearby dumpsites. (Photo: Silver Sibiya)

He arrived two years ago and was present when the sheriff brought the eviction letter.

“We were asked to give it to the committee. But after months passed, we didn’t expect it to be enforced.”

“When they remove us from here they must tell us where they will place us,” he said.

Mampana said the settlement had been named after a football player called Vuilduis Mahlangu, who was one of the first residents.

“He was a very prominent football player; everyone knew him here. Even during his old age he would do moves that would get the crowd roaring.” Mahlangu has since returned to his home province of Mpumalanga, said Mampana.

Mohlokwane Mohlokwane from Lesotho has been living in Mahlangu for nine years and makes a living selling traditional medicine.

“I sell moriana to everyone; they all know me. Even the police come here to buy it,” he said.

He added that one side of his shack had been burned in the fire. He said the well was too far for him to get water.

I put the fire out with my hands

“I put the fire out with my hands, literally.”

Recently appointed Mayoral Committee member for human settlements Ofentse Madzebatela said the City was looking into eradicating informal settlements across the metropole.

“We are working very hard to eradicate areas such as this. Our plan is that every financial year there are at least 20 areas such as this that we can upgrade. Part of that is to ‘re-block’, so that when one shack catches fire it does not affect other shacks.”

He said it would take time to formalise informal settlements because there were more than 500 in the City of Tshwane.

“We encourage people not to invade land because when we continue to invade land we slow down the process of ensuring there is housing for all.”

His spokesperson Mfundo Mazwi said that 13 settlements had been upgraded last year, and 27 would be upgraded this financial year. This involved better provision of water, sanitation, electricity and access roads and pathways. But because the land in Mahlangu was privately owned, the municipality could not offer services.

He said that up to 95% of people in Mahlangu were undocumented immigrants. DM

First published by GroundUp.

Categories:

Tags:

DM is much better if you are signed in...

South Africa

No electricity or running water