MORE than 40000 illegal squatters in Zululand’s Dukuduku forest have created a malaria death trap by chopping down the lush trees and undergrowth of their new home. It’s getting so bad the medical authorities are thinking of calling in the army because nearby Hlabisa Hospital is overflowing with malaria cases – and the peak season is yet to come. Hospital statistics show 80% of cases now come from the Dukuduku squatters. Regional malaria control officer Sakkie Hattingh said on Tuesday the malaria mosquito thrived at informal settlements. “As soon as people start cutting down the indigenous vegetation, weeds spring up. Mosquitoes love these weeds. Also, informal settlements invariably encourage pools of dirty water as there is no sanitation.” The forest dwellers have done a headcount among themselves in preparation for new municipal boundaries, and say 46687 people now live there.