Some residents living at Ezihagwini informal settlement in Dunoon, Cape Town are building their own brick houses. Last week, the community erupted in protests after the City of Cape Town demolished several brick walls which had been built without permission. Photos: Iva Fulepu
- Residents from Dunoon brought Postdam Road and Malibongwe Drive to a standstill last week after at least three brick walls were demolished by the City of Cape Town.
- Community leaders claim that shacks where people were living were also demolished and that the walls around people’s homes were torn down without notice.
- But the City says notices had been issued, there was a court order permitting the demolitions, and the walls were not occupied.
- Now, residents say that unless the City meets them over housing issues, they will protest again.
Residents of Dunoon have warned that they will bring the community to a standstill yet again if the City of Cape Town ignores their request to meet over the lack of housing.
Dunoon is home to around 350,000, according to the acting ward councillor, meaning the community is significantly overpopulated with very few affordable housing options for people who live there.
This follows the recent demolition of several walls by the City of Cape Town in the area last week. For days, protesters from Ezihagwini informal settlement blocked the busy Potsdam Road and Malibongwe Drive over the demolitions.
“We were told to wait seven days for an answer, and we are still waiting,” says Asafika Qoboshiyana, a community leader. “If we don’t get a response, the protest will continue.”
The City has said that the three brick walls that were demolished were not occupied. But community leaders say this is not true. Several shacks with people living inside were also demolished, they say.
Community leaders also say the demolitions took place without proper notice or a court order presented to residents. But the City says there was a final court order.
Four residents arrested during the protest are expected to appear in court on Monday, 26 May. Community members are currently raising funds for their bail.
Qoboshiyana claims that the men were standing in someone’s yard when police allegedly broke through, beat them, and arrested them. A fifth man was also arrested but was released within 48 hours. The man “had just come home from a night shift and was asleep when they arrested him too,” Qoboshiyana said.
The four residents arrested during the protest are expected to appear in court on Monday, 26 May. Community members are currently raising funds for their bail.
But tensions remain high in the community. On Thursday evening, community members held a mass meeting where many residents again expressed anger and frustration over the demolitions and the government’s inaction over their living conditions.
“We don’t feel safe at all,” said Zizipho Swaartbooi, who has lived in Dunoon for almost 30 years. “Law enforcement comes even at night to demolish, and then our children sleep outside in the cold. We must beg neighbours to take them in. They tear down everything. We don’t have money to replace it, and they don’t give us anything to rebuild.”
Several people we spoke to said they are forced to live without formal services like water and electricity because the City does not recognise their settlement. Many relieve themselves along the N7 and fetch water from houses in Dunoon.
“They [the City] say they are going to build ‘rent-to-buy’ flats, but we cannot afford that. We are unemployed. If they don’t want us here, they must find us a place we can afford to live,” said Qoboshiyana.
She also described an incident where law enforcement allegedly threw a large stone at someone’s shack, tearing through the wall and nearly hitting a bed. “What if a child had been sleeping there?” she asked.
This was one of the brick halls demolished by the City’s law enforcement team last week.
Most residents who moved to Ezihagwini settlement were unable to afford rent elsewhere. “We didn’t just come here for fun. We were renting before, but we had to choose between paying rent and feeding our children,” said a resident. “Now we try to build brick homes to avoid flooding in winter, and they demolish them without even speaking to us.”
Acting ward councillor Thando Dedezane confirmed that he was not informed about last week’s demolitions in advance. “There was no communication from the City. Information from the community is that the last court order was in 2023, relating to a relocation matter,” he said.
Following the demolitions on 12 May, mayoral committee member for Safety and Security JP Smith said, “It is important to clarify that no structures were demolished, contrary to some reports.” Only three brick-and-mortar walls were taken down. He said that residents were issued formal notices to remove the walls, but failed to comply.
“This site is subject to ongoing land invasion concerns,” said Smith. “Any individual intending to build must obtain authorisation from the lawful landowner. We strongly condemn any violent protest in response to lawful actions taken by City staff.”
On plans to relocate some of the homes, City spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said, “Relocation is typically a complex operation.” He said while there are no immediate plans to move anyone, the City would liaise with “any affected, verified individuals in person ahead of any such action”.
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