Thursday, June 25, 2009

Cops fire rubber bullets at protesters

Protests continued for a second night in Masiphumelele near Kommetjie after angry residents, unhappy with replies to their questions from the Housing MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela.

Police fired rubber bullets at about 500 people who had gathered shortly after 6pm on Thursday night, baracading the entrance to the Masiphumelele off Kommetjie Road.

The protest follows a demand from backyard dwellers that land, set aside for another project, be used to house them.

Chairman of NGO Amakhaya Ngoku (Housing Now) Thembinkosi Kitchen said Thursday night's protest were fuelled after a visit to the area by Madikizela.

"Madikizela was here to see what was happening and seemingly people were not happy with his responses to their questions, instead they asked that Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale address them on their concerns.

Madikizela said demands made by the backyard dwellers were unrealistic.

"They expected me to provide them with accommodation because they had been evicted by their former landlords.

Madikizela said action from his department after the protests to house those left homeless would set a wrong precedent.

"Its important that we listen to people but people should also understand that they can't demand housing through protests, it would set a bad precedent.

Late last night police spokesperson Bernadine Steyn said situation was still tense and that no arrests had been made.

- Cape Times

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