Mfuleni shack dwellers protest outside Premier’s office

More than 100 residents from Mfuleni informal settlement demonstrated outside the Western Cape Premier's office and the Civic Centre in Cape Town on Friday. They demanded water and electricity for their community. A shack fire in November last year claimed the life of Noyiba Thini, who died from her injuries at Khayelitsha Day Hospital.

Protest organizer Bathandwa Gali stated that access to water was critical: "We have no water. We can't even douse a burning shack." If their demands were not met, Gali warned further protests would escalate, including shutting down the N2 highway. The protesters also called for the government to build roads in informal settlements to improve emergency services and police patrol, citing a high crime rate in their areas.

Siphumelelisa Gogotya, who lives with her grandchildren, said they read by candlelight due to lack of electricity. She spends about R200 a month on firewood and candles, fearing her grandchildren's grants might be used to purchase them instead. Community leader Phumeza Maxakatho said shack dwellers also obtain water from formal houses in the area and use their outside toilets.

She explained that the toilets are often locked, causing inconvenience for community members. Albert Dlwengu, from the Western Cape Department of Local Government, promised to deliver the protesters' memorandum to the Premier. Andre Louw of the City's public participation department assured the demonstrators that their concerns would be addressed by relevant departments, with a response to be reported back to them.