This positive development stems from the disaster where approximately 300 people, including women, children and older persons, had been evicted from the Montclair Lodge on 8 August 2022, which they had unlawfully occupied following the devastating floods that left them destitute. The Lodge is within the jurisdiction of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and is owned by Transnet.

In the aftermath of the 08 August 2022 evictions, the Commission, guided by its constitutional and statutory mandate, convened a series of meetings with relevant stakeholders. The purpose of these meetings was for the Commission to facilitate a solution to the inhumane events which led to the eviction of mostly women, children and older persons, particularly during inclement winter weather.

As a result of the Commission’s facilitative role, a solution was reached whereby Transnet Property agreed to make the Montclair Lodge available to the Department of Human Settlements to ensure that those displaced by the floods are accommodated at the Lodge, and their tenure secured through long-term occupancy agreements. 

The Commission commends the organs of state involved in this matter for committing and fulfilling the principles of cooperative governance and for collaborating with one another towards the realisation of the right of access to housing for the vulnerable.

ENDS

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION