Durban - A tit-for-tat battle between residents is building in KwaDukuza (Stanger) over the building of a new mall.
One group wants it for the jobs that it will produce. Another says it will hurt established “mom and pop” businesses.
The row started last week when a group of black and Indian residents accused another group of exclusively Indian people, of excluding them when they formed a ratepayers’ association.
On Thursday, about 300 people delivered a memorandum of grievances about the new association at the municipal offices.
KwaDukuza mayor Riccardo Mthembu said he had no problem with the new association “because everyone has a right of association with a group of their choice”.
“The group is against the establishment of the mall and the new civic precinct, but we will engage them and possibly find a solution.
“They are afraid their businesses will suffer but, if we look at the bigger picture, they will benefit.”
He said the precinct was needed for local government to ensure better service delivery.
T
he chairman of the new interim ratepayers’ and civic association, businessman Haroon Ma-hommedy, said they wanted everyone involved. He said two adverts had been placed in local newspapers inviting people to the launch, but the turnout had been poor.
The association’s executive, formed in December, comprises: community activists Yunus Kara and Samson Pillay, retired principals and sports activists Jayce Singh and Bala Tolsi, teacher Dan Moodley, retired deputy principal Harris Govender, retired teacher Edwin Pillay and Mahommedy.
“The association has decided to object to the development of a shopping mall and civic precinct on the land where the sporting facilities stand. We feel there are more important needs to attend to than building a mall. Infrastructure, like roads and old buildings, need to be fixed instead of spending cash on this.”
He said the group was concerned that if the mall and precinct went ahead, the budget allocated for service delivery would be channelled to new developments and basic services would be neglected.
“We are also concerned about the lack of service delivery and increasing crime, hence the formation of this body,” Mahommedy said.
He said he was surprised at the angry tone of the memorandum as he had been told the march was to demand job opportunities.
“This is damaging and a fabrication of what happened. After the launch next month, we will give others a chance.”
But the march organisers Nelson Puckree, Xolani Mbhele and Noxolo Magwaza, said they wanted the mall because it would deal directly with youth unemployment. It was for this reason they wanted to be represented in the structure. Puckree said he did not understand why people objected to a mall that could employ thousands.
“The unemployed have ventured into crime and drugs because there are no job opportunities. I can’t understand why retired teachers are stopping development,” Puckree said.
Magwaza said any ratepayers’ association had to take into account the different economic needs of the people in the town and not be dictated to by a group with a vested interest. “I asked to be a member but was told to wait until the committee met again, then I learned they had met at a secret venue.”
She said KwaDukuza needed an association that represented all citizens and not just those in Stanger Manor where most of the new board members lived.
“We pay for electricity, water and other taxes including transport. It is immoral and undemocratic that people who live on the outskirts are shunned. We are the ones buying from their shops but these same business people want to exclude us from participating and making decisions.”
Professor Sihawu Ngubane, chairman of the African Rennaissance Movement in Kwa-Zulu-Natal, said the people needed to remember their history and resolve their differences amicably. “For positive development to take place, harmony must prevail.”
Sunday Tribune