Phoenix community leaders demand halt to housing developments

COMMUNITY leaders and residents in Phoenix are protesting against housing developments on sports fields, demanding a moratorium until infrastructure issues are resolved.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

On Saturday, disgruntled residents, community and civic leaders, the Phoenix Local Football Association and politicians gathered at the Eastbury sports field where they handed over a memorandum to the eThekwini Municipality speaker, Thabani Nyawose, calling on the city to halt further development of sports fields, playlots or open spaces in Phoenix.

They said too many sports fields were being “grabbed by greedy developers”.

Residents said they noticed bulldozers clearing out land surrounding the Eastbury sports field last week, which prompted the protest.

They alleged the development was being authorised by “corrupt councillors and municipal officials”.

In 2018, 17 sports fields, which were identified for the infill housing project, were set to be rezoned for recreational purposes and excluded from the housing development.

This included sports fields in Sunford, Clayfield (3), Eastbury (2), Rainham (2), Stanmore, Grove End (2), Stonebridge (2), Northcroft, Rydalvale, Woodview and Bhambayi.

The memorandum called for a moratorium on all new developments in Phoenix until the infrastructure was fully functional and could accommodate more housing, and the water crisis was addressed.