Glebelands hostel fence ‘threatens security’

“We use one gate to get in and out and this makes it possible to be ambushed. We are going to break down the fence.”

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Durban - Some members of warring factions at Glebelands Hostel in Umlazi, south of Durban, have demanded the removal of the fence surrounding the hostel, saying it heightens threats to their safety.

The eThekwini Municipality spent R10 million installing the fence as part of security measures to deal with shootings that had led to the death of 62 residents since the violence began in 2014.

Seven people, including ANC councillor Zodwa Sibiya last weekend, have been killed execution-style since the beginning of the year.

The residents also said the cutting down of trees by the municipality, to make it easier for police to patrol the area, had opened them up to danger, as they were exposed to their enemies.

They accused the government of failing to consult them about security measures at the hostel. The fencing, they said, made it difficult to escape when they were attacked.

“We use one gate to get in and out and this makes it possible for us to be ambushed. We are going to break down this fence,” said one resident.

DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango, MP Zakhele Mbhele and MPL Rishigen Viranna visited the hostel on Wednesday on a fact-finding mission.

Mncwango had a hard time explaining the DA’s visit to the hostel dwellers, who suspected them of campaigning.

Mncwango convinced them that the visit had nothing to do with elections.

The fight is said to be chiefly between occupants of Block R and Block 52. But there are several other blocks involved.

The two factions had different versions of what sparked the violence.

The faction from Block R alleged that the trouble was initially over occupation of rooms, but ANC nominations for the local government elections also came into play. Both factions claimed to be ANC supporters.

“Tribalism is part of this. If you are Mpondo you are killed. We have been to Eastern Cape many times to bury our brothers. Mpondos are not wanted here. We Zulus, who are friends of the Mpondos, are also targeted,” said another man.

However, residents of Block 52 rejected that version. They said their counterparts wanted to control the hostel in order to sell beds.

“This started when our enemies were selling people’s beds. When a person had gone home he would return to find someone else occupying his bed,” said a Block 52 leader.

Rooms at the old block are each occupied by four people, which is another source of trouble.

“You will find there are four people speaking different languages, and they enjoy different type of music. “

“No one would compromise, which led to fighting,” said another man.

They said they wanted the municipality to transform the hostel into family units.

Block R said the involvement of the police’s National Intervention Unit and the SANDF was the solution, but Block 52 said the unit was biased in favour of their opponents. Mncwango suggested there should be a five-a-side meeting between the two factions.

“We will take what we have heard to the legislature and eThekwini Municipality to be debated and come up with a solution,” he said.

They are also calling for the involvement of the UN’s Human Rights Commission, which they said would put pressure on the government to solve their difference.

bongani.hans@inl.co.za

The Mercury