What FAMREC Saw

AMREC – Fatima Meer Rights Empowerment Centre
18 June 2014
PUBLIC SERVICE STATEMENT Campaign: TAKE BACK THEKWINI 2014
FILTHY HANDS OFF OUR MARKETS! FAMREC was called to the herb sellers section of our Warwick markets today by a community of traders and helpers panic-stricken because their meagre belongings were being seized by this economic apartheid state. When our team arrived, like fellow activist Khaya Maseko, we saw metro police [puppets] yet again robotically seizing people's goods and building materials - and of course issuing extortionist fines, otherwise known as daylight robbery. Its just another day in The Casbah. We met with the crowd of traders and their neighbours. We also spoke to Metro police who confessed that they don't enjoy being sent to commit [unconstitutional and cruel acts of] discrimination and oppression against our poor and homeless. They referred us to Hazel Msomi [Thekwini's business development for the rich division – 073 429 6660] who was infuriatingly arrogant to the pain and suffering of our traders - to the point of telling me that our traders are “pretending” to be upset and depressed by the ongoing terrorism of her elite friends. Traitors to the people who pay their salaries. I asked Hazel where the court order to allow seizures was, to which she said that the traders were issued a note. The note turned out to be a plain and grubby flyer masquerading as a legal document [only issued 5 days ago] in which traders were ordered to remove their property [to where exactly?] OR ELSE face punishment. In terms of “the law', the principle of audi alterem partem must apply – meaning both sides must be heard. When any municipality's public servants trample upon our markets' rights to exist and flourish, to have infrastructure, peace of mind, running water, toilets, drainage and pothole work done etc; then you know that what is happening has got nothing to do with a better country for the 90% of us. Big business wants our land and enslavement at any cost. Historically, if you don't yet now the stories of eThekwini's unforgettable markets, please do our future a massive favour and talk with other people who have this knowledge. On the internet, you will find information including this video in which the late activist, sociologist, writer, and professor Mama Fatima Meer talks about markets being the cultural, historical, and economic jewels of every city worldwide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v02TsHA44Q4 .You will also find this 2011 Wikileaks document exposing eThekwini Municipality's diabolical plans to force our CBD residents and business out - aka GENTRIFICATION: http://lists.fahamu.org/pipermail/debate-list/2011-August/023723.html No matter who you are, where you're from, or your age, here's how Khaya Maseko's Article: http://chaoticfront.blogspot.com/2014/06/abakaqedi-theyre-not-done.html