Subject: an invite to all
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:43:18 +0200
From: andi...@fhr.org.za
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COME TO A FUNDRAISING AND AWARENESS RAISING EVENT THIS SATURDAY 28th February,
starting at 7pm
Why? Read on…
Evicted People live on the Roadside for 7 months
Not more than a kilometre from the Lanseria Airport stands a big striped tent
and some makeshift shacks, along the R512 road. For seven months now families
have lived on the roadside, they were evicted from the adjacent farm last July.
More than 34 families were victims; most have disappeared into the sprawling
squatter camp of Diepsloot. Those who are still on the roadside refuse to
disappear. Their presence is their dignified resistance; they have chosen to
rather live on the roadside than be forgotten with the many nameless,
historyless in the squatter camp.
Pricilla Masilo was born on the farm in 1943; her parents worked, died and were
buried on the farm. She tells of how the security companies arrived without
warning, they demolished houses; damaged furniture and stole some of their
belongings under the protection of the police. By then, she had built herself
(without any assistance from government) an eight-roomed brick house which was
brought to the ground in minutes. Now she is being reduced to a destitute who
lives in a tent on the side of a road, without water, food or ablution
facilities. The evicted families lost everything. Mama Mashilo’s dignity comes
from her undying spirit of resistance, “I want to go back”, is her defiant
refrain.
Landless alive and landless in death!
Mama Mashilo tells her sad story without self pity. The only time she breaks
down and cries is when she tells of how Avbob, the funeral services company,
through the instruction of the land owner has desecrated their graves. All 56
graves have now been successfully exhumed. She talks about disrespect for the
dead, and how the bones were exposed, mixed up and taken away. The evictees
don’t know where the bones of their ancestors are re-buried or stored.
But what does the law say?
The law permits dispossession: Judge Fikile Bam, one of the struggle heroes of
Apartheid, granted a consent order which authorised the eviction. Mama Mahilo
and the other families deny strongly that they ever agreed to move from the
farm voluntarily and to settle in Adelaid Tambo Emergency Settlement. They are
long-term occupiers who in terms of the law cannot be evicted. Truth is, the
property rights of the white owner and huge developers tramp the dignity of
blacks. Judge Bam first dismissed the urgent application brought by Mama
Masilo and her co-occupiers to rescind the so called “consent order” and
secondly does not respond to the requests of Masilo’s lawyers to grant them a
pre-trial to continue with the case. Because he is the judge President of the
land claims court, Masilo and her family find themselves in a terrible
predicament – and do not have a choice but to take drastic steps against Judge
Bam in order for this case to be heard.
Why the eviction?
All this pain so that a new up-market cluster housing development can take
place, golf course included.
What has the government done?
Mama Mashilo tells the story better; “they all pass here, Mbeki, Zuma, I mean
all of them”. She says, “They simply look the other way”. The huge white and
blue tent can’t be missed on the roadside. The DA apparently arrived and said
the people must go join the squatter camp. The Gauteng Department of Land
Affairs and Joburg Metropolitan council also know about these people, in fact
a brand new squatter camp has been build ironically called Adelaid Tambo which
serves as damping ground for the evicted around Lansaria. The poor are on
their own!
What we would like see happen?
All the families returning to their land without being criminalised or shot at
(as is the case in many other similar situations).
All exhumed bodies returned and buried where they were.
Compensation for all the losses, pain and suffering
Note: In the past 15 years almost all cases of this nature have been won by
white capital and the protector of its interests, government. It’s very likely
that what we’re demanding will fall on deaf ears but we have no option but to
keep fighting.
Why is this particular case so important?
Shit like this happens to black folk all the time. This case is no different to
people being forcefully removed for platinum or shopping malls. We’re just
doing what we can.
We also question the roll of the Johannesburg Mucipality and would like to know
if Adelaide Tambo Emergency Settlement was established in order for the big
developers to have a dumping ground for occupiers. A number of similar cases
are been fought in court in the Lanseria area. Not the developers, white
landowners or the municipality have any intention to make provision for poor
people to stay on and be part of these developments. Many poor people have a
long history on the land, but despite this and the governments “paper – policy
“ of integrated suburbs these people are dumped on Adelaide Tambo Emergency
Settlement – very near to a huge sewerage works – and forgotten off.
What can you do for now?
COME TO A FUNDRAISING AND AWAREBNESS RAISING EVENT THIS SATURDAY 28th February,
starting at 7pm
Venue: 253 Park Street Malvern/Belgravia
Directions: Get to Roberts Street in Kengsinton , got up to Jeppe Boys, turn
into Goodhope street on the Schools side, turn left intop Highland street, ,
drive over baby the hill, turn right into Katoomba str. The house is on corner
Blore and Park. Or just follow Baloons from Jeppe Boys
· Bring some money
· Buy the food and booze offered at the fundraising event at cost
· Contribute your ideas
Call 082 742 9660 for further info
· Pay a solidarity visit to the tent people on R512 close to Lanseria
Airport.
· Ask the municipality what there involvement is and why Adelaide Tambo
Emergency Settlement was established.
· Question who is financing these developments and ask them for answers.
· Prevent the same thing from happening at the new planned Cradle City
Development.
Blackwash stumbled upon a story of sorrow and official neglect. Once we have
seen we can’t un-see. Once we know, we can’t un-know. We must all do what we
can because we are somehow responsible.
· blackwashproj...@gmail.com to find out more
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