Durban - The provincial and municipal governments are to plough R10 million into the violence-stricken Glebelands hostel, while the SAPS is to bring in outside police reinforcements in a bid to prevent further deaths there, it was revealed on Sunday.
Ongoing violence at the uMlazi hostel, sparked by an illegal flats-for-rent racket, has claimed 13 lives between April and last month. Yesterday more than 1 000 hostel residents gathered at the local stadium to hear how the government was tackling the problem.
In a move to end violence, the government has heeded the call by activists and community groups to remove uMlazi police from the hostel.
They have been replaced by a team from outside the province.
Mayor James Nxumalo said the R10m needed to secure the hostel would be sourced from various projects in the eThekwini Municipality – it would be repaid over time, he said - and a 40 percent contribution from the KZN Department of Human Settlements.
The money would be made available before the end of this week.
More than 20 000 people, including children, reside at the hostel, which has nine blocks comprising single-sex and family units. Up to eight people share a single room in each unit, depending on its size.
Nxumalo said there were “opportunistic individuals” who bullied other residents out of their units and rented them out to those who were prepared to pay bribes.
Only the municipality has authority over accommodation at the hostel.
“We want to make it clear that this hostel and nine others in eThekwini belong to the municipality. The killings and persecution of individuals are orchestrated by individuals who think they are in control of the rooms and beds around here.”
“Maybe we have been too relaxed to an extent that certain individuals thought that, because they do as they wish, they own certain blocks in this hostel,” Nxumalo said.
He said the city’s executive committee had met on Friday and resolved to remove all hostel block chairmen in favour of hostel committees that will handle the administration of the hostel, working closely with the superintendent.
Hostel residents would be involved in the formation of the committees, Nxumalo said.
“Partnering with Human Settlements in a 60/40 contribution, we have secured R10m from various projects to install security measures at the hostel,” Nxumalo said.
Measures include fencing to control access, security checks at gates, cars and drivers to be scanned and closed-circuit television cameras.
Daily News