Shallcross residents demand rights to community park amid housing development plans

FOLLOWING an intervention by a non-profit organisation, residents in Shallcross and local government representatives are expected to meet to discuss a housing development in a community park allegedly earmarked for the 2022 flood victims.

Ethan Ramkuar and Nazeera Khan, the directors of Survival Centre, said Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the KZN MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), intervened after they wrote to him requesting assistance on the matter.

In November last year, residents protested after they saw workers trying to erect a fence around “Jamaica Park”, situated between Klaarwater Road and Olympia Street.

The residents said it was the only open green space in Shallcross.

They also feared the impact the development would have on service delivery, including on the current intermittent water and electricity supply.

The residents said there was also no public consultation on the matter.

To address their plight, Ramkuar and Khan wrote to several government departments, including Cogta KZN for an intervention.

In a recent response, Buthelezi requested the eThekwini Municipality, KZN Department of Human Settlements, and KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, as well as other stakeholders, meet with the residents to explain the processes and decisions behind the housing project and address concerns regarding infrastructure and land use control.

He said there should also be a collaboration to identify solutions and inclusivity in future projects.

Ramkuar said while they did not oppose RDP housing, "there are rules in place".

He said before any development, the community must be alerted for public engagement.

"In a democracy, it's the government by the people and for the people. Our organisation made numerous submissions to Cogta, the Department of Human Settlements and the eThekwini Municipality. We are glad that Cogta has responded."

Khan said Shallcross residents had raised legitimate concerns and they deserved the right to the park as it was the only open green space in the area.

“We are glad to have helped facilitate a transparent process between the community of Shallcross and the departments involved. This will also help raise the issues of the water crisis and infrastructure faced by Shallcross and Chatsworth."

Allan Govender, the vice-chairperson of the Shallcross Civic and Ratepayers Association, said the engagement would give them an opportunity to address their concerns and provide solutions.

“It is also through the unstinting effort of the Survival Centre, community organisations and our legal support team that we have been successful in achieving this engagement with the necessary stakeholders.”

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