Residents of the Egoli informal settlement in Philippi, who face removal from privately owned land, have vowed to fight to keep their homes.
About 200 residents gathered at Egoli on Sunday to plan the way forward after their protest about a week ago was broken up by the police and the army, when they burnt tyres and damaged several toilets, and blocked Kraal Road.
The residents received their eviction orders on June 18, from landowner Cassiem Alexander, who is still paying off the land and wants to use it for business purposes.
He has told the Cape Argus previously that he was disappointed at the turn of events, since he had been promised by senior city officials that, should he evict the residents, the city would make space for them at Blikkiesdorp.
On Sunday, however, Steve Hayward, head of the city's anti-land invasion unit, said Blikkiesdorp was full.
At Sunday's meeting community leaders from informal settlements across the Peninsula appealed to the Egoli residents to work together.
Owen Shanmugen, chairperson of the Hillview Residents Association, said the purpose of the meeting was not only to stop pending evictions, but to create unity among residents.
Lorraine Heunis, of the Civic Road informal settlement, warned: "If you're not going to work together, you are going to Blikkiesdorp or Happy Valley.
"Don't let the city divide you."
- Cape Argus
About 200 residents gathered at Egoli on Sunday to plan the way forward after their protest about a week ago was broken up by the police and the army, when they burnt tyres and damaged several toilets, and blocked Kraal Road.
The residents received their eviction orders on June 18, from landowner Cassiem Alexander, who is still paying off the land and wants to use it for business purposes.
He has told the Cape Argus previously that he was disappointed at the turn of events, since he had been promised by senior city officials that, should he evict the residents, the city would make space for them at Blikkiesdorp.
On Sunday, however, Steve Hayward, head of the city's anti-land invasion unit, said Blikkiesdorp was full.
At Sunday's meeting community leaders from informal settlements across the Peninsula appealed to the Egoli residents to work together.
Owen Shanmugen, chairperson of the Hillview Residents Association, said the purpose of the meeting was not only to stop pending evictions, but to create unity among residents.
Lorraine Heunis, of the Civic Road informal settlement, warned: "If you're not going to work together, you are going to Blikkiesdorp or Happy Valley.
"Don't let the city divide you."
- Cape Argus
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