People visiting Cape Town’s Civic Centre without proof of appointments were furious when they were prevented from entering the area by security guards.
From early morning, visitors were turned away as a result of an illegal protest staged by 15 leaders of informal settlements and backyarders across Cape Town.
The rainy and windy weather would not stop Tafelsig Backyarders Association, Abahlali BaseMjondolo, Mitchells Plain Backyarders, Kensington Backyarders Association and the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign from gathering outside the Civic Centre yesterday.
There was a heavy security presence with guards and Metro police officials making sure no-one entered the building.
The 15 people who attended, contrary to the numbers expected by the city and the media, made their presence felt as onlookers stopped for a glimpse of what was happening.
The 15 leaders carrying placards formed a line and blocked motorists from passing through Hertzog Boulevard, though some motorists forced their way through. According to the organisers, the protests follow a number of attempts to secure an open public meeting with the mayor, Patricia de Lille.
Mzonke Poni, coordinator for Abahlali BaseMjondolo said his organisation had in the past asked the mayor to address public meetings about issues that affect informal settlements and backyarders such as floods, shack fires, water cutoffs and the role of law enforcement.
He said yesterday’s protest was one of a number of protests they would embark on until De Lille addresses issues affecting them.
“Should the mayor fail to meet with us then we will be left with no option but to go back to our members and communities,” he said, adding that the only way forward was to make Cape Town’s informal settlements ungovernable.
He said today they would be protesting outside the human settlement department and tomorrow outside Premier Helen Zille’s office.
Charles Abrahams, from Mitchells Plain Backyarders Association, said De Lille “failed to respond to memorandums submitted previously and should she not respond to our demands we will be left we no choice but to make the city ungovernable.
“Anything will be possible and might have a huge economic impact,” said Abrahams.
Lwandiso Stofile, from De Lille’s office, said if the community wanted to engage with De Lille they were free to do so, but they needed to follow the right channels and procedures. “It is not going to help if we continue the way we do, because we have always opened the door for engagements,” said Stofile. – WCN
From early morning, visitors were turned away as a result of an illegal protest staged by 15 leaders of informal settlements and backyarders across Cape Town.
The rainy and windy weather would not stop Tafelsig Backyarders Association, Abahlali BaseMjondolo, Mitchells Plain Backyarders, Kensington Backyarders Association and the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign from gathering outside the Civic Centre yesterday.
There was a heavy security presence with guards and Metro police officials making sure no-one entered the building.
The 15 people who attended, contrary to the numbers expected by the city and the media, made their presence felt as onlookers stopped for a glimpse of what was happening.
The 15 leaders carrying placards formed a line and blocked motorists from passing through Hertzog Boulevard, though some motorists forced their way through. According to the organisers, the protests follow a number of attempts to secure an open public meeting with the mayor, Patricia de Lille.
Mzonke Poni, coordinator for Abahlali BaseMjondolo said his organisation had in the past asked the mayor to address public meetings about issues that affect informal settlements and backyarders such as floods, shack fires, water cutoffs and the role of law enforcement.
He said yesterday’s protest was one of a number of protests they would embark on until De Lille addresses issues affecting them.
“Should the mayor fail to meet with us then we will be left with no option but to go back to our members and communities,” he said, adding that the only way forward was to make Cape Town’s informal settlements ungovernable.
He said today they would be protesting outside the human settlement department and tomorrow outside Premier Helen Zille’s office.
Charles Abrahams, from Mitchells Plain Backyarders Association, said De Lille “failed to respond to memorandums submitted previously and should she not respond to our demands we will be left we no choice but to make the city ungovernable.
“Anything will be possible and might have a huge economic impact,” said Abrahams.
Lwandiso Stofile, from De Lille’s office, said if the community wanted to engage with De Lille they were free to do so, but they needed to follow the right channels and procedures. “It is not going to help if we continue the way we do, because we have always opened the door for engagements,” said Stofile. – WCN
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