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| Violent clashes broke out between police and residents in Southern Cape last night |
This was after the municipality demolished the newly erected shacks on Monday, when the residents ignored a warning not to erect more shacks in the area demarcated for housing development.
One person was injured while another was arrested after police fired rubber bullets at the residents. Last night, the residents turned on their fellow shack dwellers, accusing them of being spies for the municipality. They demolished shacks belonging to the alleged informers and threatened more retaliation today against them.
- SABC
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Squatters claim cops deaf to charges of assault after blitz
TWO squatters from Bossiesgif in Plettenberg Bay claim detectives refused to take their statements when they tried to lay charges of assault against police and security guards following a police blitz last week.
Police have denied the allegations, saying the charges are being investigated.
Armstrong Magidigidi, 67, and Hani Makhanda, 26, were arrested last Wednesday on charges of assault and public violence when police opened fire with rubber bullets on a group of squatters, seemingly without provocation.
The squatters had been conducting media interviews after five shacks were demolished by members of Valsta Transport, a security company employed by the Bitou municipality.
The security guards returned to the informal settlement but were chased away by residents. They called the police and returned five minutes later.
Shocked journalists witnessed the security guards hitting unarmed squatters with a sjambok and spraying pepper spray in their eyes. Police also fired rubber bullets into the crowd, including elderly people and mothers with children.
Southern Cape police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie yesterday said police were not allowed to refuse to take down a statement.
He said charges of assault against the police and security members were being investigated. “The allegations that they declined to take statements are false.”
Community leader Zamile Xhipula said he had contacted the Independent Complaints Directorate and the SA Human Rights Commission yesterday, both of which asked for a formal complaint in writing.
Community leader Margaret Thompson said 14 people arrested at the weekend in connection with breaking down the shack of a ward committee member after their shacks had been demolished had been released on their own recognisance. They will appear in court with Makhanda and Magidigidi on March 31.
The municipality claimed the shacks were in cleared areas earmarked for housing development. They also claimed the shacks had been built within the 24-hours preceding their eviction action.
The community has denied both these claims. - The Herald
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