Illegal Occupiers of Marievale Military Base Relocate after City Intervenes

The long standing stand-off between illegal occupiers at Marievale Military Base in Nigel and the army has finally been resolved with the relocation of the occupiers to Zamani in Duduza.

The occupiers had moved into the dilapidated army houses at the base even though there was no ablution facilities and electricity, and they partitioned the houses into separate units.

After hearing about the plight of the occupiers, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements Cllr Lesiba Mpya intervened by securing them a place where they could get municipal services.

In May 2020, residents were moved to Zamani informal settlement in Duduza.

On Tuesday, 8 September, MMC Mpya together with South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Colonel MR Mkhize from the Nigel Military Base conducted a site visit at the Zamani to inspect the living conditions and the progress of the provision of basic services to the residents.

Sonto Mthembu (26) used to stay at the military base with her family. She expressed her gratitude to the MMC for heeding their pleas for a better settlement.

The residents were settled in a blocked formation in Zamani to allow for easy access for emergency services vehicles and to allow for movement of the waste removal trucks. Residents also enjoy access to clean running water and frequently serviced chemical toilets.