Authorities abandoned us in the middle of nowhere – Mooibank residents

Residents of Azaniaville informal settlement in Mooibank outside Potchefstroom in the North West, do not have access to basic amenities like toilets, running water or secure housing. The residents said they continuously fear being evicted and feel defenseless and forgotten by the government that has made promises but failed to deliver leaving the people in the area in extreme poverty.  More than 300 households were relocated in January 2021 from Gugulethu, another informal settlement in the Ikageng township after the North West Education Department earmarked the area to build a new school. The JB Marks Local Municipality carried out the relocation process and the residents said they swiftly accepted to be moved after the municipality promised them a better standard of living than where they came from. Forty-year-old Tatolo Radebe said when they still lived in Gugulethu informal settlement, they drew water from the nearby community hall and used the hall’s toilets when nature called.  Radebe said life was better since the drive to town was less than five kilometres, and the children were closer to schools. “They [municipality] placed us here after promising us better services; they sweet-talked us to obtain what they needed,” he added. “We are trapped two years after being promised a better life.” Residents said they were a vulnerable community since they were forced to abandon the home they had resided in for at least five years. The land they resettled in, is adjacent to farms owned by the white community.  There is a current civil case in the North West high court in which the farmers want them evicted, saying the land they were settled in must be used for agricultural purposes, not residential. In addition, the dissatisfied farm owners assert that residents of Azaniaville informal settlement constitute a danger to them and might steal from them and also devalue the price of their properties.  According to Charles Lekgetho, the municipality assured them when they moved, that they would find formalised stands, as well as toilets and regular water supplies. But to date, many residents had to dig holes to use as toilets and use water from dirty water streams. The water tanks provided by the municipality don’t come in regularly. They also use firewood to cook meals and their children have to travel ten kilometres to Ikageng Township to go to school on  a single trip. Up until four months ago. “We expected services as a token of thanks for allowing the school to be built on our land. As the importance of having toilets increases, privacy has become a key concern here,” he explained. Mmapaseka Ramabodu said she was close to giving up because of the threat from the farmers and the authorities’ failure to keep to their promises.  “The whites are threatening us, and we have nothing. Not only are they [municipality] failing us, but they are also undermining us,” she said. According to Ramabodu, the residents are prepared to start for a fresh start and to leave the government alone only if they had title deeds. “I used to be able to obtain a proof of residency, but now, if we need it, we must return to the township and beg friends and family to use theirs; it is painful,” she added. Even though the JB Marks local municipality told them that the property was theirs and would not be evicted, they claim they are still hanging in the balance. The municipality is yet to respond to our questions.