The City of Cape Town intends suing the organisers of yesterday's protest march for R6-million because it degenerated into violence and looting.
Several businesses were looted, people were assaulted and shop windows were smashed as some protesters ran amok. Informal traders along the route of the march suffered huge losses.
Cape Town mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said images of the protesters were captured on CCTV and would be studied to identify those responsible for the violence.
"We've sought legal opinion, which stated that we could sue protesters in their individual capacities, as well as those who organised the protest," said Smith.
Smith said the initial estimate of the damage was R6-million.
He said the city would demand the money from the ANC, and from ANC councillor Loyiso Nkohla and former ANC councillor Andile Lili.
The ANC has distanced itself from the protest.
The city claimed Nkohla and Lili led the protest during which residents of informal settlements demanded improved municipal services.
The two are still facing charges in connection with their alleged role in the toilet protests during which faeces were hurled at public buildings in the city.
Neither Lili nor Nkohla was available for comment.
DA Western Cape leader Ivan Meyer last night said that Nkohla had reportedly, at a public meeting at the weekend, encouraged residents of informal settlements to loot businesses in the city centre.
The protesters looted stalls on Greenmarket Square, tried to loot a liquor store in Adderley Street and set fire to trees in Wale Street.
Meyer said the march was "pure political grandstanding".
Police spokesman Frederick van Wyk said no arrests had been made.
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