[DEBATE] : Press release: Occupation of N2 Gateway houses by Delft backyarders

[Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign]

Press release: Occupation of N2 Gateway houses by Delft backyarders



The Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign supports backyarders in Delft, who,
in pain and frustration at being on housing waiting lists for years and in
some cases for decades, have peacefully occupied more than 100 N2 Gateway
houses in Delft. The WCAEC applauds the councillor who assisted these
backyarders in this occupation and calls for no charges to be laid against
him. Authorities have threatened these people with eviction at 5am on Friday
21st. The WCAEC opposes these threats and stands in solidarity with the
backyarders resistance to eviction. The WCAEC particularly warns the police
not to use violence against the backyarders. These houses were mostly
intended by government and Thubelisha homes for residents of Joe Slovo
informal settlement in Langa. But the residents of Joe Slovo do not want to
move to Delft. They want government and Thubelisha to build houses for them
in Joe Slovo. All this is the fiasco of the ill-thought out N2 Gateway
'pilot project' which was planned and is being implemented without adequate
participation by the communities whom it is intended to benefit, and hence
is failing at every turn.



For further information contact Mzonke Poni at 0732562036