News from SA

[Russell Grinker <grinker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From the Debate list - please send this on and raise the issue with your
colleagues:   News on recent developments in the huge anti-evictions
mobilisations taking place in Chatsworth, Durban at the moment.   This morning a
contingent of about 200 SAPS, City Police and *army* personnel descended on
Chatsworth to give cover to the Sherriff who was to evict families who had
fallen behind in their rent to Council in this area.    Although this force was
triple the size of the one that failed to evict families earmarked the previous
day, they had not come with a better or more "efficient" plan, as they had
promised.  Community scouts picked up the convey of police vehicles coming into
this flat-land area when they were still 5 minutes away.  Hundreds of people
gathered in the alleys between the flats and waited to see to which house the
police would go.  As soon as they arrived, the community blockaded the selected
flat and another stand-off ensued.   Affidavits were scrawled on spare pieces of
paper, money collected for revenue stamps and lawyers despatched to seek an
interim order from the court stopping the eviction.  However, at this time the
Council police (otherwise known as the Black-jacks as a result of their SS
outfits) arrived with instructions not to wait for the interdict but to go ahead
with the evictions in any event.   They were there to make a point.   Without
warning, teargas was sprayed, people assaulted and rubber bullets fired.  There
was chaos.  According to reports, some cops were disarmed in the melee.  Then
the shooting with live ammunition began. These scenes can be seen tonight on
e-TV whose brave camera-person threaded in and out of the crowd, ignoring the
reckless behaviour of the police.   Scores of people, including a journalist
from East-Coast radio, Raghunee Archary were injured, I think in the face and
doctors are saying that she may need plastic surgery.   Community leaders say
that tomorrow there will be a march to an undisclosed venue to protest against
these actions.  Everyone in Durban who is concerned or affected by these events
is invited by them to meet in Road 332, Westcliff, Unit 3 in Chatsworth at
09h00.   It may be too soon to say whether these mobilisations will be
successfull and the evictions of these indigent people warded off.  However,
judging by the expressions of rage and determination of people in this area, THE
GOVERNMENT is again A REGIME, and levels of antagonism to it are back at levels
that only PW Botha could really manage.   I include yet another newspaper report
of events in Chatsworth yesterday, this time from the Daily News (p 2) which
includes a half page picture.  Are there similar mobilisations occuring
elsewhere.  How are they (to be) made visible and generalised?    
___________________________________     HUMAN SHIELD PREVENTS EVICTION OF FAMILY
  by Farook Khan     ABOUT 150 Indian women yesterday formed a human chain
around the home of Mr Emmanuel Fani Mhlongo (41), a single parent and father of
five in Bayview, Chatsworth and warned the sheriff that they would resist any
moves to evict the family.       The sheriff and his men turned up with
shotguns, backed by riot police armed with teargas and City Policemen with
firearms to evict Mhlongo because he was in arrears with his rent.      
According to Mhlongo, a taxi-driver who has lived in the predominantly Indian
suburb for the last nine years, he has been out of work.     "I could no longer
pay the R320 a month and as it is a battle to feed my five children who all go
to nearby schools.  The city council is determined to throw me and my children
onto the street", said Mhlongo.       He said he did not know what to do when
the "army" appeared to evict him.       Women came from all sides and within
seconds they linked hands and faced the armed men.       Community leaders,
among them Dr Ashwin desai, heard about the stand-off and rushed to the scene. 
   
Prof Fatima Meer and her band of activists, The Concerned Citizens Forum (sic),
the Legal Resources Centre lawyers ... was there within minutes.       The
sheriff, his men, the SAPS and city police were quickly surrounded and
hopelessly outnumbered.     "Leave now", screamed the women.  "Leave now"      
But the police stood their ground.       Chairman of the Bayview residents'
Association and a few others talked to the force of armed people and pointed out
that the women would not leave.  Instead, it would be the "gentlemanly" thing
for them to withdraw.       After close to an hour, the officials and armed
forces pulled back, the Mhlongo's front door was opened and the children fed -
but the human chain remained in place, despite the blazing sun.       The women
refused to move until the police left Chatsworth.  It was only then that they
disbanded, but not without first giving the family instructions on how to call
for help if under duress again.       "I am part of this community.  I know
these people and they know me.  My children have no other friends except the
kids of Bayview", said Mr Mhlongo.       Mrs Devi Govender (43), one of the
women in the human chain, said that their demonstration was simply an act of
unity.  She said the community had made its stand and would continue to act to
help anyone else in distress.       Desai said he was "fascinated" that the
women mobilised so quickly and so effectively.  "Suddenly there was a human
shield.  it was an amazing sight," he said.     ________   end