‘Segregation’: Multimillion-dollar crime wall causes uproar in S Africa | Poverty and Development News
Cape Town, South Africa – Thandi Jolingana, 46, proudly showcases the bathroom she constructed inside her corrugated iron shack after her husband was robbed at gunpoint while using a communal toilet. Jolingana resides in Taiwan, a shantytown on the outskirts of Khayelitsha, where access to private restrooms is a luxury.
“I’m a rich girl,” she quips, acknowledging that her financial responsibilities, which include supporting several unemployed relatives in addition to her two children, limit her comfort. As a nurse’s assistant, Jolingana is among the few in the informal settlement who can afford indoor plumbing. In contrast, her neighbors rely on a limited number of outdoor toilets provided by city authorities, with only one cubicle available for every ten households.
The inadequate services in the settlement have garnered renewed attention following Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’ announcement of a controversial initiative to construct a wall along the N2 highway to deter crime. This highway borders several townships and Cape Town International Airport.
“I’m surprised they have money for a wall but no funds to provide land,” Jolingana remarked, referring to unfulfilled promises to relocate her community to areas with proper housing.
Her dissatisfaction with the local services has led her to seek work in better-equipped suburbs through her employment agency. When her five-year-old son becomes ill, she travels over 20 kilometers to Bellville to avoid overcrowded facilities in her area.
“At the trauma ward, people are lying on the floor and waiting since yesterday. I can’t take it,” Jolingana said.
Accompanied by Al Jazeera, Jolingana navigates narrow alleys in the township, highlighting the health and safety hazards posed by existing amenities. Residents erected a cement foundation for a row of communal toilets after one collapsed in 2018, trapping a woman inside. These structures also face risks from flooding each winter due to nearby wetlands.
Local residents believe city funds should address pressing issues, rather than finance the costly wall. Mayor Hill-Lewis, a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA) party, proposed spending 108 million rand (approximately $6.5 million) on the N2 Edge project, aimed at crime reduction. However, some reports suggest costs could reach 180 million rand ($10.8 million). The project also includes the installation of security cameras, enhanced lighting, safety barriers, and increased police patrols.
Khayelitsha and its neighboring areas have been plagued by crime, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy the army in response to escalating gang-related violence. However, residents contend that authorities only respond when incidents affect middle-class individuals.
A notable case occurred in December when robbers fatally stabbed a retired teacher shortly after her arrival in Cape Town. This incident ignited discussions among lawmakers about the dangers that travelers face near the airport.
Jolingana and her neighbors are gearing up to oppose the wall, as the Informal Settlements Forum has initiated a call for a peaceful protest against policies they view as detrimental to dignity and equality. They are also seeking pro bono legal support in their fight for transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, Jolingana continues to confront the daily challenges of her situation. “If you can wear my shoes, I don’t think it will fit you,” she said, expressing her resilience in the face of adversity.
