This followed:
1. A
letter from Lynn on behalf of the Crossmooor Committee to the Crossmoor Lawyers
(LRC) asking them to please deal directly with the Crossmoor Committee and not
with the Centre for Civil Society, to please not arrange meetings at times and
venues unsuitable for Crossmoor residents, to please keep the Crossmoor
Committee rather than the Centre for Civil Society updated with the progress on
the case, to please give a written explanation to the Committee with regard to
the role of two Centre for Civil Society staff members (Heinrich Bohmke and
Orlean Naidoo) in the case and stating that Fatima Meer was not a stakeholder
in Crossmoor.
2. Lynn
asking when Orlean and her husband took over control of the representation of
the settlement from the elected committee.
3. An
email from Lynn to the CCS listserve asking that all CCS staff including
interns, outreach officers, visitors and film makers please stop coming to
Crossmore and that they stop presenting Orlean Naidoo (employed by CCS and
resident in Malvern) as the leader of the Crossmore settlement.
4. The
replacement, by the Centre for Civil Society, of the elected Crossmoor
Committee with a new Committee. Because this was done with violence and
undemocratically the Social Movement Indaba KwaZulu-Natal [SMI-KZN] described
this action as 'regime change'.
5. Threats
against people in and out of Crossmoor who spoke out against this regime
change.
CROSSMOOR – STATEMENT
FROM LYNN MUNSAMY
On the 26 June 2007 I went for a march that was organized by
Orlean and Fundis [with money from CCS]. The march went peacefully, until the
latter end when a comrade asked a question and before answering Pinkie
(Orlean's husband) lashed out verbally at me, ("shut up, you are a piece
of shit, you are a nothing"). He also stated that he would set Fundis
people for me. This was embarrassing and humiliating. I decided at this point
to maintain a safe distance from Orlean and Pinkie as I believed that they were
a threat to my safety. However this does not mean that I withdrew my
participation in the Crossmoor Struggle.
On the morning of 4 July 2007, Pinkie confronted Joyce
telling that the bottom section was small in numbers and that she should get
more people from the Bottlebrush Settlement to build shacks and increase the
numbers. I was concerned about this and I told her that I would confer with the
lawyers on this matter. Pinkie then became upset with my decision, saying that
I did not know what I was talking about.
An hour later the protection service came and broke down
shacks. I contacted our lawyer and he sent someone to take photos. The next
morning I took 3 people to meet with the lawyer, Orlean became upset that I
made my own arrangements. On this very day 5 July Orlean called a meeting. This
meeting was held at Westcliffe, Unit 3 [where Orlean and Pinkie have a flat
i.e. not in the informal settlement]. All persons that attended this meeting as
ff:
- Heindrich (chair the meeting) [CCS]
- Shannon Walsh [CCS]
- Orlean (Westcliffe Chairperson) and Pinkie [CCS]
- 3 members from the Westcliff Flat Resident's Committee, Gladys, Christina, Vanessa
- 5 members from Ekhupelene incl Fundis (Leader)
- Crossmoor: Lyn, Evon, Robert, Sipho, Busisiwe, Rani, Grace, Brilliance, Octavia, Channel
This was a rushed meeting. There was a few concerns that was
bought up.
- · Fundis threats against the bottom section.
- · Change of name (Fundi's concern)
- · Funding issues
- · Who are the leaders, who should lead
The issue concerning the [alleged] misappropriation of funds
was brought up. Fundis also brought his concern that there were blankets and
food hampers that was stored at a Pastor's garage. Heinsrich then said that we
should be honest about this issued. I indicated that donations came in to about
R7000. I also explained that this was given at various times. I indicated
further that I have all records available to provide proof thereof. The
conclusion to the meeting was that Evon and myself should step back on the basis
that I, Lynn, is not well and that Evon being stressed out. I never consulted
with Heindsrich on this matter.
However I speak to him about meeting personally through SMS. My reason for this was that I wanted to get money advice dealing with the Money Issue. HE did not respond, but discussed this sms with Orlean. THE SMS READ, AIR TIME JUST GOT FINISHED PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF TIME N DATE AT UR CONVENIENCE PLEASE DNT DISCUSS MEETING WITH ORLEAN FOR NOW. Orlean was very upset about this. My reason for this sms was no concern of hers. Orlean openly discussed this sms with the community ranting and raving. I tried to explain to her but she took no understanding.
However I speak to him about meeting personally through SMS. My reason for this was that I wanted to get money advice dealing with the Money Issue. HE did not respond, but discussed this sms with Orlean. THE SMS READ, AIR TIME JUST GOT FINISHED PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF TIME N DATE AT UR CONVENIENCE PLEASE DNT DISCUSS MEETING WITH ORLEAN FOR NOW. Orlean was very upset about this. My reason for this sms was no concern of hers. Orlean openly discussed this sms with the community ranting and raving. I tried to explain to her but she took no understanding.
On 6 July 2007 Orlean brought out the issue of me being
distant. I indicated to her that Pinkie needed to apologise to me and that the
apology should not come from her on his behalf. Pinkie was present at the time.
He uttered these painful humiliating words, ("fuck you, you are a piece of
shit, you are a nothing") in front of the Crossmoor Community. He then
shouted ("this things here stole R7000").
The next day we were all sitting around a fire and Orlean
arrived whilst on her cell with Comrade Roy [SMI-KZN]. She was screaming and
shouting that the community all stood to listen to her conversation. After that
she interrupted the peace by brining up the previous days issues regarding the
mismanagement of funds. I then spoke out that enough is enough. She became extremely angry whilst Pinky shouted to the
people (everyone Lyn wants us to go away) Orlean then yelled at me and said
"I will never leave Crossmoor." The situation became very intense so
a comrade took me away so that things cooled down. I then called her on my
cell, to my surprise she swore me ("fuck you Lyn"). After this
incident I decided to avoid all contact with Orlean and Pinkie.
A committee was elected on 9 July 2007. The election was
done because Heinsrich adviced that we, should add on to form a committee with
at least 6 members (this was mentioned at a previous meeting). I called a
meeting with the community and allowed the community to nominate and second the
election. To my knowledge the community was HAPPY with the election. I also
asked if the community was happy with Evon and myself. The people were excited
and shouted YES. The community wanted us to be part of the committee. The
people were all excited they all clapped and cheered that night. Orlean and
Pinkie arrived the next morning found that Crossmoor has a new committee. She
was upset and said that she was leaving. People became confused and depressed.
They were left with no choice it was either me (lynn) or Orlean. Now that's the
part I did not understand because she is from the outside and given the fact
that Orelan is the CHAIRPERSON OF WESTCLIFF [Flat resident's assoc.] She has
also made numerous threats that she brought the RESOURCES (e.g CCS, LRC, the
lawyer, SMI ) to Crossmoor and that she would take them away [if she was not
the leader].
On 21 July 2007 Orlean called a meeting. Heinrich and
Shannon was invited to this meeting. Evon and I was not invited fir this meeting
(but heard rumours of it). Heinsrich conducted this meeting for a new
committee. I raised the concern that there is already a committee in place and
members of the committee did not resign, so therefore it was inappropriate for
Heinrich to be conducting an election of committee members. He did agree that
it was a good point bought forward. Orlean then interrupted and insisted that a
new committee be in place. When I raised the concern about RAF CLAIMS (ROAD
ACCIDENT FUNDS). According to me knowledge none of the people was involved in
an accident. When I raised my concerns on this issue Orlean became violently
aggressive and slapped me across my face. I retaliated immediately by slapping
her back. Pinky stormed through the crowd with a knife in his hands and said
"I WILL KILL YOU." A few members of the community rushed me to
safety. I was emotionally traumatized
and physically drained by this so I left the settlement. The reason that I
mentioned the RAF CLAIM, two people from the community confronted me scared
that they had done wrong. I was shocked and disappointed about this.
On the 23 July 2007 I received threatening phone class that
if I set foot on the settlement I would be severely dealt with, from that day I
kept away from the settlement due to the undue provocation and threat to my
life.
On 25 July 2007 Orlean spoke to community and alleged that
it was through me (Lynn) that the article in the Post dated 25 July 2007 was
due to my interaction with [Deputy Mayor] Logie Naidoo. However this was not
true as I had not met with him or spoken to him. The community became highly
aggrieved after Orlean had discussed the post article. This had led them
protesting in front of my mother-in-laws home where I have temporary
accommodation demanding answers to the post article and money issued. I did
explain to them that I had no knowledge of the post issue.
She says in one of her emails that my words "Breyani
Politics" coinsides with Rassool's email [Rasool Snyman, SMI KZN]. It must
be brought to her attention that one of the sponsors present used these words
saying that Orlean is caught up in Breyani Politics, I did agree with and
reiterated these words. This is undershanded and a gross injustice because the
people are aware of her true intentions subtle manipulation seems to be her
TACTICAL APPROACH.
My belief is that Orlean must provide proof of
misappropriation of funds if she wishes to speculate about this issue. The
constant speculation of money is just an excuse on her part to lobby for LEADERSHIP
in the community – nor has sheen been in the struggle at its conception. She
only became involved since March 2007. She lives in Malvern in an extravagant
home and she should leave Crossmoor to deal with their own issues.
After close retrospection I have to the understanding that
my arduous efforts have come to nought as it is clearly evident that people had
been swayed by Orlean and are no longer appreciative of my efforts. I must
emphasize that I have always had the community effors at heart and I have been
100% committed to the struggle for the past year - and would have continued to
do so were it not for Orleans false ACCUSATIONS and SPECULATIONS and the
INAPPROPRIATE MANNER in which they conduct themselves.
This has brought much pain and trauma to my family and my
belief is that no one deserves to go through this kind of anguish.
THIS IS MY TRUTH AND MY STORY.
LYNN MUNSAMMY
