Half of Matlhemele landfill site occupied before inauguration: Police destroy 59 homes – Domingo

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Half of Matlhemele landfill site occupied before inauguration: Police destroy 59 homes – Domingo

1:12 CAT | 11 Mar 2019

Photo: Jornal Domingo

The Matlhemele landfill site in Maputo province has not yet been opened, but half of its area is already occupied. About 50 hectares has been invaded and houses erected all over it, Jornal Domingo reports.

The war has begun, and the police (PRM) already have quartered at the scene.

João Mucavele, Director of Health and Cemeteries Services, told Domingo that at least 59 homes were destroyed on Saturday in an effort to recover the invaded area, confirming that a strong police presence was required as residents were resisting strenuously.

All this is happening because the construction of a fence round a landfill site that could serve as an alternative to the Hulene dump in Maputo.

The population says the municipality has invaded its territory, while the municipality claims the reverse.

Cândida Zunguze, who lives in the disputed area, has no doubt. “This land is ours. They are usurping this space. ”

She says that the police sometimes come out firing to disperse the crowd. “They’re sending us away from here. They say ‘go to Golhoza'”.

She points out that destruction comes unannounced, sometimes in the dead of night.

“They destroyed my bathroom, but even so, I refuse to leave. I’ve been living here for five years,” she says, adding that police usually announce their presence by launching tear gas grenades.

At the scene, Domingo found a police camp accompanying the progress of the fencing works.

By Bento Venâncio

Source: Jornal Domingo