Wednesday, October 15, 2008

KTC residents to protest against services

Residents of KTC near Gugulethu in Cape Town were expected to take to the streets on Wednesday morning in protest against poor service delivery in their area.

"Most people are still living in appalling conditions and we are therefore demanding houses. It is also very dark at night and this impacts on the rate of crime especially burglaries happening in the developed area," said community crisis committee spokesperson Ben Londzi.

He said residents would also be protesting against lack of police presence in their area.

"They (police) don't involve community structures at all. There is an underground gang operating in the area, terrorising community members and killing people but police don't talk to residents about those things," Londzi said.

He said residents would meet at the Fezeka Municipality Buildings from 10am.

Despite Londzi's insistence that theirs was a protected march, Western Cape police said they knew nothing of a planned protest.

"There was never a letter sent to the station regarding the march... we are not aware of it," said Captain Elliot Sinyangana.

He disputed claims that police neglected to involve community structures in the fight against crime.

"From what I know we have a very good relationship with the Community Policing Forum in Gugulethu.

"Our sector managers constantly hold meetings with the community and no one has ever consulted the station commissioner to complain about poor consultation. But anyone is welcome to voice their grievances with the station if they have problems," Sinyangana said. - Sapa

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