1. Violent Evictions in Cato Manor & Chesterville
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Yesterday at about 10:15, while we were hosting a vibrant and
very interesting political education meeting in central Durban,
the Land Invasion Unit, the Metro Police, the Public Order
Police and private security attacked the Azanian occupation in
Cato Manor. Around 60 homes were destroyed. The ward
councillor was present during the attack.
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There have been repeated attacks on this occupation since
February, when the land was ๏ฌrst occupied. One person was
recently discharged after being hospitalised for two months as
a result of injuries sustained from the Land Invasion Unit during
an eviction. The comrades rebuilt last night, working through
the night and in the rain.
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Today the Ridgeview settlement in Chesterville, which has
been there since 2006, was attacked by the Land Invasions
Unit and municipal security. A number of comrades were shot
with rubber bullets. More than forty homes were demolished
before the eviction was stopped after comrades organised and
resisted. The comrades who lost their homes will rebuild.
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In both cases the Municipality did not have a court order and so
both evictions were illegal and criminal acts.
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The Azania occupation is in Ward 29 and the councillor is Mveli
Mthembu. The Ridgeview settlement is in Ward 24 and the
councillor is Si๏ฌso Mngadi. They are both ANC councillors.
Those who choose to vote for the ANC in the recent election
should consider the wisdom of their choice carefully as the
ruling party continues to oppress the poor.
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This weekend we will be launching a new branch and holding
political education workshops in four settlements in Gauteng.
Tensions are still running in high in Vusimuzi, in Tembisa,
where reblocking has turned into evictions, and xenophobia,
perpetrated by supporters of the local ANC councillor with
brazen collusion between the local police and the councillor.
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Everywhere impoverished people remain beneath the law while
our oppressors in ruling party and the government remain
above the law.
