Flood warning for Cape residents

Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre late on Tuesday issued a flood warning for many parts of the province, including the Cape metropole.

In response, the City’s housing directorate urged residents in low-lying, flood-prone informal settlements to reduce the risk of flooding by raising the floor level of their homes.

Communities in flood-hit informal settlements were invited to contact the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089 to request sand to raise the floor of their dwellings to keep water out. If the roof of their home is leaking, residents can apply for flood kits from the City’s Informal Settlements Management team.

The City appealed to residents to help by:

* Clearing out drainage systems on their properties

* Moving to higher ground if they stay in a flood-prone area (for assistance with this they can contact the City’s Call Centre or the Informal Settlements Management team)

* Digging trenches around their homes to divert water away

* Reporting blocked drains, intakes and illegal dumping

* Waterproofing roofs, clearing gutters and removing dead tree branches

“The City’s human settlements directorate is working closely with communities and other City departments to, as far as possible, ensure that the residents whose homes are vulnerable to flooding are cared for,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Benedicta van Minnen.

The City advised that heavy rain, strong wind conditions in the interior and very cold weather can be expected over the next two days.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, said the concern was that the weather would not only lead to flooding but mudslides and fires.

“Some of the other associated risks during bad weather like this also includes mudslides, and informal settlement fires as well as severe cold made worse by the possible electricity challenges due to potential load shedding,” he said

Bredell has urged motorists and pedestrians travelling in the province over the next few days, to take extra caution.

“Care should be taken when crossing low lying bridges, or streams and rivers as floodwaters may be on the way.”

Provincial as well as municipal disaster management centres remain fully operational with officials on standby 24/7. These centres can be activated immediately should it be required.

Bredell stressed that communities should contact and cooperate with local authorities and emergency response personnel in the event of any emergency. He said the easiest number to call was 112, adding: “This number can be dialled toll-free from any cellphone.”

In case of emergency other relevant numbers to call are:

* Cape Winelands: Langeberg Municipality 0860 88 1111

* Eden District: 044 805 5071

* Central Karoo: 023 414 2603

* West Coast: 022 433 8700

* Overberg: 028 271 8111

* City of Cape Town: 107 landline or 021 480 7700

The City also attached the following flooding related tip sheet:

How can I prepare for a flood?

* Identify the risk in your local area.

* Prepare a home emergency plan, and identify risks around your home.

* Remove leaves (from downpipes or gutters) or any other items that can increase the risk of flooding in your area.

* Have an evacuation plan. Everyone in your family has to know where to go to find shelter.

* Prepare an emergency toolkit. This should include a first aid kit, torch and portable radio with batteries, candles and waterproof matches, drinking water, a multi-tool, whistle and emergency contact numbers.

What should I do during a flooding?

* Monitor current flood warnings. Listen to the radio for emergency warnings, evacuation advice and weather updates.

* Avoid entering floodwater unless it is necessary, and never underestimate the strength of floodwater, even if you are inside a vehicle.

* Follow all instructions from emergency authorities.

* Turn off all electricity and water and take your cellphone with you.

* Assist elderly and disabled neighbours.

What should I do after the flood?

* Before entering your house, wait until the water has dropped below floor level.

* Check with electricity and water authorities to know whether it is safe for you to use these resources.

* Be aware of contamination if water sources have been flooded; this could be unsafe to drink.

Contact these additional emergency numbers:

* 112 (from a cellphone) and 10177 from a landline.

* Report floods, blocked drains and service disruption to 0860 103 089.

* City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre: 080 911 4357.

- ANA

Cape land invaders refuse to move

Cape Town - Illegal land invasions have spread across Cape Town from Khayelitsha, Kalkfontein near Bonteheuwel and now to Wallacedene in Kraaifontein.

JP Smith, the mayco member of safety and security for the City of Cape Town, said seven people who occupied land illegally in Kalkfontein were arrested on Saturday.

“There were protesters in the area who were burning tyres and throwing stones near the lane of the R300 earlier on Saturday afternoon. And, firemen in Hamilton Estate were also assaulted after trying to put out a fire. One man was injured and the others refused to go back to control the fire because of the danger that they were in,” Smith said.

In light of the sporadic land grabs that took place across the city last week, Smith provided a breakdown of the city’s intervention.

“(A total of) 20 illegal structures and 920 pegs were destroyed in Khayelitsha, 100 pegs were destroyed in Lwandle (Strand). Thirteen illegal structures were demolished in Kalkfontein.”

He said public spaces in Wallacedene were under threat. “More of these illegal structures are being erected. (On Sunday) police will be in the area to stop these structures from disturbing public spaces.”

When the Cape Argus visited Kalkfontein on Sunday, people remained defiant and continued to erect illegal structures, saying they have nowhere else to go.

Elliot Malgas was adamant that he and his family would not move willingly. “We still want to build here. On Saturday, law enforcement demolished our homes but we haven’t got any other place to stay.”

After being evicted, Malgas said: “It was terrible, I am not happy. Everyone here has bought all the materials for their houses, now we have to spend more money to build. I have lost my TV, clothes and even my ID.”

He said this was the third time in one week that their homes were destroyed.

A church was set alight during the violent protest.

“It’s confirmed that the church has been set alight. Apparently it appears it was set alight by protestors,” said police spokesman Colonel Thembinkosi Kinana.

No injuries were reported.

“No arrests have been made so far. The investigation is still ongoing,” said Kinana.

Joshua Njingo, who was shot in the head on Saturday said: “They came to shoot at us while we were building. It’s terrible. The South African law enforcement can’t just come from behind and just shoot you.”

Banele Ntlangani, 22, another Kalkfontein resident, feared losing his eight-month-old baby, Uminati.

“We were busy building and law enforcement came. They said they were here just to break the shacks without people living inside them. Afterwards they surrounded the whole area with hippos and then just broke all the houses.”

Police spokesman Colonel Thembinkosi Kinana said: “Eight protesters were arrested for public violence on Sunday and they are expected to appear in court (Monday).”

matthew.vanschalkwyk@inl.co.za

- Cape Argus and ANA

City Housing chaos erupts as protesters loot stalls

A mob of protesters who charged through Cape Town city centre yesterday mugged a bystander, looted vendors' stalls and vandalised property.

Hundreds of members of Ses'Khona, known as the "poo protesters", marched to the Western Cape legislature to demand that grievances about a lack of housing delivery be heard.

Ses'Khona leader Andile Lili urged the crowd to mobilise in townships and return to the city centre with 300000 people.

In St George's Mall, a man who had bought coffee was caught up in the melee and assaulted by a man believed to be a protester.

The attack was seen by The Times photographer Esa Alexander. "When the protesters came, the man with the coffee tried to run away. They got hold of him and pulled at his bag," he said.

"The man fought back and when one of the attackers pulled his bag out of his hand the victim fell to the ground. The thief ran into the crowd before the guy could get back up. It was chaos."

The protesters looted informal traders and took iron rods from stalls. They attacked bystanders, but dispersed when they were chased by police.

Police Captain FC van Wyk said one man had been arrested for possession of stolen goods from a vendor.

"We urge people to come forward with information," he said.

- Timelive

Khayelitsha community hall burnt during protest, highway blocked

CAPE TOWN – Residents of Khayelitsha in Cape Town set fire to a community hall early on Sunday morning.

The incident follows service delivery protests yesterday, during which the N2 highway was blocked.

Community members say they're struggling to get the City of Cape Town to meet its housing commitments.

In 2013, residents of the B-M section were temporarily moved to another area, OR Tambo, after a fire destroyed their homes. They were then promised new houses in Mfuleni.

But after violence directed at the contractors in that area, the City of Cape Town put a stop to the Bosasa housing development.

“These people are angry because they can see they are not going to get what was agreed on between them and the City,” said ANC ward councillor, Monde Nqulwana.

A community member has accused the City of lying to them. “We were supposed to go to Bosasa in October. But that thing didn’t happen. They lied to us,” said Siyabulela Gifile. 

On Saturday, after three children contracted food poisoning at a community event, the protests escalated and the OR Tambo community hall was set alight the following morning.

Community members are angry that the mothers of the sick children have been detained.

"They say the only thing they want is for those parents to be released so they can interact with their sick children in hospital,” said Nqulwana.

While some community members are critical of the arsonists, others feel it’s the only way to get attention.

“The best way is to burn this hall,” said Gifile.

Khayelitsha community members have now threatened to block the N2 highway for as long as it takes, and say police will have to deploy extra forces for protection.

They’re vowing not to rest until Western Cape Premier Helen Zille herself comes to meet them, and until their demands for housing are met.

- eNCA

Heavy rain, flash floods warning

Certain provinces could experience flash floods due to heavy rain over the next two days, Weather SA said on Monday.

“Heavy falls leading to flash flooding are possible in the Free State, North West province, and the Western Cape for today,” forecaster Madimetja Thema said.

Weather SA had also released a weather watch for potential flash floods in Gauteng for Monday night and Tuesday morning.

The heavy rain was expected to spread to the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, Thema said.

“It is expected to let up by Tuesday evening.” - Sapa

‘The worst flooding in 10 years’

Cape Town - A week of rain has ended, with the last of three storm fronts that swept across the Western Cape clearing up.

But in the aftermath of torrential rains and flooding, 5 000 people are still looking for relief after their homes were damaged by rising storm water in the townships.

The city’s director for Safety and Security, Richard Bosman, said around 1 500 dwellings were flooded early on Thursday after overnight rain.

Khayelitsha was worst hit. The township is built on the Kuils River flood plains which meant that low-lying areas were quickly submerged on Thursday morning.

In the township’s Site B, the RR section saw many homes waterlogged, the people inside stepping over large puddles pointing out furniture and appliances that had been damaged.

In Lavender Hill, residents of Overcome Heights called for mayor Patricia de Lille to visit their wet homes.

Cathy Lewis, 36, waded barefoot through ankle deep water inside her house.

“The water is so cold that my children have to sleep at my sister’s place.”

Plastic crockery floats underneath the sink and her bed is propped up on bricks and crates.

“It is painful. No one should live like this. I sleep under five blankets at night and in the morning have to walk through icy cold water.”

She said she was heartbroken, and had nowhere else to stay.

“You don’t feel like coming home to this. I can’t wash or cook here and all my clothes are wet.”

Francisco January, 46, has lived in the area for nine years. He sat on his bed above the water that covered the floor of his three-room home.

Music blared from a small radio; one light lit the dark room and crates served as a bridge to cross over the water.

January said he had been scooping water out of his home since 3am on Wednesday, but heavy rains on Thursday brought more flooding.

“It’s so cold that you feel you could freeze to death. This morning I got shocked from one of the electricity plugs.”

Karen Mentoor, a member of the Overcome Heights residents association, said people were living like animals.

“Not even dogs want to sleep this way. This is the worse flooding in the 10 years I’ve lived here. Fridges are wet, children can’t go to school because they are sick and their clothes are wet and we can get electric shocks and die.”

Residents have had enough.

“We need the mayor to come and look at how the people of Overcome Heights have to live.”

Other affected areas included Driftsands, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Mitchells Plain and the Strand.

While residents feared the storm would continue, Bosman said by on Thursday afternoon everything was clearing up. He was optimistic that the worst was over and a sunny weekend lay ahead.

Relief efforts have already begun. In Lavender Hill 400 blankets were handed out to displaced residents. The city has also provided residents in other areas with food, baby packs and flood kits.

natasha.bezuidenhout@inl.co.za

kieran.legg@inl.co.za

- Cape Argus

South Africans 'gatvol' with politicians: Wits vice-chancellor

South Africa’s “out of control” public violence will transform into a revolution if inequality isn’t dealt with now.

This is according to Wits University vice-chancellor Professor Adam Habib, who added that the Marikana tragedy, which saw the loss of 34 miners’ lives during a violent unprotected strike exactly two years ago, was the “most dramatic manifestation” of public violence and inequality.

Habib was speaking at the Institute for Security Studies’s (ISS’s) International Conference on Crime Reduction and Criminal Justice, which started in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Habib said that while public violence was “out of control”, South Africa was not yet on the verge of a revolution, but was heading in that direction if inequality was not addressed.

“While we are not on the verge of a revolution today, if we don't confront this [there will be] serious problems down the line,” Habib said.

According to Habib, there was a “serious crisis” when it came to service delivery failures, which he attributed to “rampant and unthinking” cadre deployment.

"The declining legitimacy of the ANC shows you that there's a serious problem brewing. People are gatvol with politicians, the ANC and the DA,” Habib said.

He added that while inequality was a global phenomenon, how it "manifests itself” in South Africa was “fundamentally different" to elsewhere.

“In Germany, if a child drowns in a pit of faeces, a government falls. In South Africa, it’s business as normal; we've become so immune,” Habib said.

Habib said: "You have to have real behavioural change; we all claim we're dealing with inequality but we're not. …

"We must avoid the romanticisation [of inequality] but also reflect on it. Don't deal with the symptoms alone but also the causal factors," he said. 

Lizette Lancaster, who runs the ISS’s Crime and Justice Hub, added: “People are more likely to mobilise if they feel they have nothing to lose.”

According to Lancaster, police data revealed that violent incidences during public events, including strikes, had increased by 57% in the past two years and by 234% in the past decade.

The provincial hotspots, according to research by the Crime and Justice Hub, were Gauteng, followed by Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Lancaster added that a “huge catalyst” for these violent protests was a combination of media attention and a non-responsive local government, with violence being fuelled by a poor response by the state through the police.

"Many factors create an environment for communities to feel they need to protest but often it’s the state response that creates such a frustrating environment that violence erupts. Often police create the escalation into violence by using force that is not necessary," Lancaster said.

- TimesLive

Thirty held for Mossel Bay protest violence

Mossel Bay - Thirty people have been arrested for public violence and looting shops during protests in Kwanonqaba in Mossel Bay, Western Cape police said on Wednesday.

The protest was apparently over service delivery and electricity in the area, and the 30 people were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday, Captain Malcolm Pojie said.

“They are all still in custody,” he said.

The protests began on Sunday, with people barricading roads with burning tyres, sticks, and stones.

“They also burnt down the Kwanonqaba municipal building, next to the local police station,” said Pojie.

He said the protesters also tried to burn down the station, but police managed to prevent them.

The protest began with about one hundred people on Sunday, while the number grew to about 3000 on Monday and 7000 on Tuesday.

“There is just a small grouping today (Wednesday) and the situation is much calmer, said Pojie.

He was unable to provide the number of protesters assembled on Wednesday.

The protesters threw petrol bombs at police, who then used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

“A police helicopter is also being used to monitor the crowd from above,” said Pojie.

He said there were no reported cases of any injuries. Police were monitoring the protesters.

The arrested protesters would appear in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court soon.

- Sapa

Violence at poo protesters’ court date

SEVERAL police officers, including a metro police official who was left bleeding, came under attack from supporters of the Ses’khona People’s Rights movement outside the Bellville Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Police in turn retaliated with rubber bullets, tear gas and a water cannon to disperse the crowd when mayhem broke loose. There were also reports that two women who had run away from the protest had been struck by a passing car. The two suffered minor injuries.

Hundreds of supporters had gathered outside the court where the movement’s leader Andile Lili and eight other accused were appearing on charges of dumping human waste at the entrance of Cape Town International Airport in An Independent Newspapers photographer was also injured and admitted to hospital after he was hit on the head with a stone.

The altercations broke out when Lili came out of the courtroom to address the 500 supporters during the lunch adjournment on the proceedings.

“We want to make sure that this case is thrown out of the court because there is no case against us,” Lili told the crowd.

“If we don’t fight for ourselves, no one is going to fight our battles. We will make sure that tomorrow (today) there are more of us here.”

Soon after his speech, Lili claimed he was being pushed by a police officer. “Don’t push me, my brother, please,” he shouted.

At the same time, an altercation also erupted between fellow supporter Loyiso Nkohla and a policeman.

The crowd became volatile and stones were flung into the air, igniting the tension.

More altercations followed between police and supporters. When tear gas was fired, lawyers, journalists and security guards had to seek shelter inside the court. Lili and two others were later arrested. Police spokesman Andre Traut confirmed that three people had been arrested. He said they would appear in court on charges of public violence soon.

Earlier in the day, the court heard testimony from three State witnesses who took to the stand in terms of the poo throwing at the airport. Two witnesses were from the airport and one was from the City of Cape Town.

Ahmed Abbas, who works in the maintenance department at the airport, told the court they were in the process of replacing the carpet, where the human waste had been dumped. He said the carpet at the entrance of the airport had been damaged when it was sent for cleaning. Abbas said the costs to replace it could amount to more than R80 000.

“We needed a special company to clean the mat because the company we employed could not clean it. The mat was then removed and taken to hazardous cleaning services. The mat was removed the same day and when it came back, it was damaged,” Abbas said.

He said airlines were not disrupted, but passengers were forced to use another entrance which is about 15m from where the alleged dumping took place.

City official Pierre Maritz who works in the utility services department, came under fire from defence lawyer advocate Pearl Mathibela when he told the court that the city cleaned portable flushed toilets three times a week. The portable toilets were under the spotlight during cross-examination because they were allegedly where the human waste that had been dumped came from.

Maritz told the court the city cleaned these toilets three times a week and residents never complained about using them.

But Mathibela fired back and said the toilets were not cleaned for two months in places such as Barcelona informal settlement in Gugulethu and Khayelitsha.

“There was a dispute between the employer and the employee of the company contracted to the city to clean the toilets,” Maritz said.

Maritz said 16 informal settlements were affected.

In her conclusion of her cross-examination Mathibela said the city did not care for the people as it claimed it did.

She said the city violated the human rights of residents there.

- Cape Times

‘Mossel Bay riots are politically inspired’

Cape Town - Southern Cape police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a 3 000-strong crowd in KwaNonqaba in Mossel Bay on Monday.

This was after the protesters had torched a municipal buildings, set fire to a school, stoned cars on the N2 highway, and damaged police vehicles.

The violent service delivery protest started on Sunday.

The angry mob took to the streets over lack of basic services, including electricity cuts in their township, but the municipal manager’s office called the riots “politically inspired”, taking place as they did days before a by-election in the area on Wednesday.

Harry Hill, the town’s executive officer - strategic services, said municipal offices in KwaNonqaba and a municipal community centre had been torched while protesters also set Garden Route Primary School on fire.

Protesters also stoned vehicles on the N2, vandalised traffic lights and burnt tyres. Police vehicles at the police station were damaged.

“The fire at the school was put out before too much damage was caused,” said Hill. “The KwaNonqaba offices were, however, badly damaged. Traffic lights at the Mayixhale Street and Louis Fourie Road intersection were pulled out and bent.”

Hill said the municipality had been unable to access their damaged buildings, to assess the full extent of the damage, as protesters had continued to gather throughout the day.

Disputing claims of electricity cuts, Hill said there had been none, other than illegal connections that had been cut about a month ago.

The Southern Cape police said the situation remained volatile and they were still monitoring the area.

Spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said they were investigating a case of public violence as KwaNonqaba municipal offices, next to the police station, had been torched on Sunday.

He said protesters also targeted the police station and damaged vehicles parked in the yard.

Police arrested 13 people for public violence on Sunday but they had been released on Monday without being charged. He said the police had responded to sporadic incidents of tyres being burnt and roads been cordoned off in the area on Monday.

Meanwhile, the DA said it was “no coincidence” that the attack happened mere days before a crucial by-election in Ward 13.

“Most disturbingly, a DA councillor had to vacate his house because of intimidation and threats to his family, while the DA candidate in the upcoming by-election received an anonymous phone call, asking her to withdraw as candidate,” said the DA’s constituency head, Piet Pretorius.

The party added while the DA was running an orderly campaign in the spirit of free and fair elections, their opponents had “stooped to intolerance, threats, intimidation, violence and arson”.

Rubbishing the DA’s claims, the ANC’s southern Cape regional secretary, Putco Mapitiza, said people had serious issues about service delivery under the DA.

warda.meyer@inl.co.za

- Cape Argus

Lwandle evictees fear for their kids

Cape Town - Residents living in a community hall for almost two months after being evicted from their homes in Lwandle, near Strand, have complained that their young children are being exposed to “disruptive” behaviour.

There are complaints that some youths are openly abusing alcohol in the Nomzamo Community Hall.

Residents were given the temporary shelter days after being evicted last month.

The Lwandle inquiry into the evictions resumes today. The inquiry was set up by Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to investigate the circumstances under which the eviction took place.

The scope of the inquiry includes the history of evictions in the Zola informal settlements and factors leading up to the court application by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) to evict residents from its land.

Some of the almost 900 residents say the youths drink excessively, party late at night then fight with one another.

Resident Xoliswa Masakala said: “Some of these youngsters have been drinking in the hall and using the opportunity to drink and go crazy. There is no reason for them to drink like this. There are children here and for them to be exposed to this sort of behaviour is not good.”

Ward councillor Mbuyiselo Matha said the issue of youths drinking in the hall had been addressed.

“This issue came to my attention and we have spoken to the youths who were fighting and drinking inside the hall. This is a hall and meant for the people who were evicted, not for any other people who are disruptive,” he said.

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille’s spokeswoman, Pierrinne Leukes, said the the hall had meant to be a “short-term solution”.

“Almost immediately after the evictions, the City of Cape Town provided the community hall as temporary shelter. This was therefore just intended to be a short-term solution while discussions took place between the city, provincial and national government. We would like to encourage those staying in the hall to go back to the completed structures as soon as possible and to report any illegal activities taking place in the hall to the police.”

Meanwhile, work on the temporary shelters to house the 849 residents is near completion. Matha said it was still unclear when the residents would move back to their homes.

“I know there were problems with the standpipes and also some of the structures are still being built. It is still unclear how long people will have to live in the hall, but I hope it is soon because this can’t continue forever,” he said.

Statements by residents were collected last week by the commission.

Testimonies from Sanral, various NGOs and the Sheriff of the High Court were heard earlier this month. The inquiry has until Tuesday to complete its work.

jason.felix@inl.co.za

- Cape Town

Housing delivery efforts 'hampered by residents'

CAPE TOWN – Western Cape Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela says some Cape Town residents who are angry over housing issues are hampering housing delivery efforts themselves. 

Madikizela and City of Cape Town officials addressed the Langa community on Sunday. 

The meeting comes after dozens of residents took to the streets earlier this month in violent protests which rendered the township inaccessible for more than a day. 

Shack dwellers and backyarders in the area are demanding houses. 

A community meeting between Langa residents and Western Cape government officials went smoothly despite lingering tensions over housing. 

Madikizela addressed a packed community hall, saying his department has noted residents’ concerns.

He however pointed out that housing delivery has been delayed due to shack dwellers building structures on land earmarked for development. 

Madikizela appealed for patience, informing the community of two other projects currently underway.

- EWN

Cops monitor situation after Khayelitsha protests

Cape Town police were monitoring Baden Powell Drive in Khayelitsha following a service delivery protest on Monday morning.

“We're finished with our operation there. We are just going to monitor the situation,” said police spokesman Lt-Col Andre Traut.

Protesting residents burnt tyres, forcing the closure of the road.

“There were no reports of injuries or damage to property,” Traut said.

City of Cape Town municipal workers were cleaning debris from the road.

“We don't think the roads were damaged by the burning tyres,” traffic spokesman Richard Coleman said. - Sapa

Clean-up after Cape storm

Cape Town - More than 30,000 people were affected as temperatures plummeted and heavy rain hit Cape Town at the weekend.

Disaster Risk Management spokesman Wilfred Solomons said 25,689 people had been helped on Saturday, and a further 6 400 people had been affected on Sunday.

On Saturday, 16 904 blankets, 25 326 meals and 945 baby packs were distributed in Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Philippi, Gugulethu, Strand and Somerset West.

Gridlocked traffic and eight car crashes in just two hours, as well as more than 100 flooded roads, marked the start of the weekend.

The Weekend Argus reported that there was flooding in parts of the Civic Centre, where mayor Patricia de Lille has her offices.

Chapman’s Peak Drive and the Table Mountain Cableway were closed for safety reasons before the storm hit on Saturday.

Cold conditions are forecast to continue into this week, with maximum temperatures reaching 15°C.

Cape Town traffic services spokeswoman Maxine Jordaan said there had been 24 motor vehicle accidents since Friday, with one fatality.

The driver of a Toyota died at 7.15pm on Friday evening and three others were seriously injured when the car collided with a bus between Robert Sobukwe Road and Symphony Way in Bellville.

On Saturday, the Ghost Squad arrested a woman for reckless and negligent driving after she drove two cars off the N2 at a speed of 240km/h.

Meanwhile, residents in Kraaifontein, Delft and Philippi East mopped up the remaining water in their homes on Sunday.

With broom in hand, Khanyswa Sithelo swept water into two buckets before carrying them outside her dwelling in Tsunami, Delft.

She and her two children, Sbabaklo, 5, and Siposethu, 3, have the flu and had been to Karl Bremer Hospital for treatment.

“We have been sick for a month now. Every time it rains it is cold and damp,” Sithelo said, coughing and holding her chest tightly.

On a pathway some distance away, a group of young children played in a puddle of water.

A little girl picked up a dead mouse dropped it, and bent over to pick up some other objects.

A small stream of water and rubbish trickled down the pathway.

Celiwe Gontshi, 35, had managed to get the water out of her house, but it was still damp and cold inside.

“Children are dying because of this cold.

“On Friday,I was in Tygerberg Hospital because I had chest pains,” Gontshi said.

“This cold is making everyone ill.”

She added that while the water had been mopped up, once it rained the flooding started all over again.

In Wallacedene in Kraaifontein, Rachmat Petersen, 32, and her five-year-old daughter, Moeshfieka, sat on their bed with one duvet covering to share.

“We have nowhere else to go. When it rains everything gets soaked,” Petersen explained.

Water dripped from the ceiling, a couch next to the bed was damp and the floor was muddy.

“It is extremely cold. My child is sick every day,” she said.

“We start a fire to keep warm in the evenings.”

- Cape Argus

natasha.bezuidenhout@inl.co.za

‘State should revisit laws on mass evictions’

Cape Town - The government needs to take a closer look at the laws which allow for the mass eviction of people, says the chairman of the ministerial inquiry on the Lwandle evictions, advocate Denzel Potgieter.

Potgieter was briefing the media on Monday on the progress and operations of the inquiry, which Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu established on June 4 to look into the recent evictions of hundreds of Lwandle residents.

The evictions were effected by the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) after the granting of an order by the Western Cape High Court.

But on Monday, mayor Patricia de Lille said she had written to Sisulu asking her on what grounds she had appointed the commission and “what she intends doing with the recommendations as ministerial inquiries may provide advice to a minister only”.

“I would suggest that the national ministry explore the motivations of Sanral, which is a state-owned company, to better understand why these evictions took place.”

Said Potgieter: “In so far as the type of recommendation that we might make, there are a lot of ideas. It just seems that something has gone wrong here in the way we understand the law, the legislative framework within which these things (evictions) occur.”

He said the law seemed to attempt to “strike a balance” between rights and interests of occupiers of land and landowners.

“And those of us who deal with court cases and eviction matters know that there is enough scope for the courts to do justice within that sort of framework.

“But I think any reasonable person will tell you that something untoward has occurred here where the evictees were put out.”

As part of it work, the inquiry would ask experts to assist it on how to deal with mass evictions.

“It does appear that one needs to look closely at the legislative framework to see how the law makes it possible for this sort of thing to happen,” said Potgieter.

The inquiry has about three months to complete its work.

One of its mandates is to investigate all the circumstances in which the evictions took place, including the history of evictions and factors leading up to the application by Sanral.

The inquiry must also establish the identity of the affected members of the community of Lwandle and how the community came to be on the land in question when there was a waiting list for the provision of housing.

“The minister is desirous to establish the real causes of the land occupation, resultant evictions, and all legal processes that have been followed leading to the ultimate evictions,” said Potgieter.

Community leader Mpatisi Tshedu said he hoped those who had been injured in clashes with police would be called to testify.

“There were so many who were shot with rubber bullets and others who suffered injury because of the tear gas inhalation.

“We can never be compensated for the pain the eviction has caused us.

“All we want is the involved parties to say they were wrong and we can all move on and rebuild our lives.”

babalo.ndenze@inl.co.za

jason.felix@inl.co.za

- Cape Times

Lwandle inquiry hearings to start in July

Cape Town - Public hearings into the eviction of illegal shack dwellers in Lwandle, Cape Town, will begin next month, the head of a ministerial inquiry said on Monday.

Advocate Denzil Potgieter, appointed by Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to chair the inquiry, announced the inquiry's mandate at a media briefing in Cape Town.

“The mandate of the inquiry includes to investigate all the circumstances under which the evictions took place... including the facts leading to the application for and obtaining of the court order on 24 January 2014 by Sanral (SA National Roads Agency Limited), the execution of the said court order by Sanral,” Potgieter said.

The role of the sheriff, the City of Cape Town, metro police, the SA Police Service, and all other government entities would also be investigated.

Some of the people affected would testify before the inquiry.

“The process for submissions together with any relevant documentation and records commenced on Monday 23rd June and the deadline was Friday, 27 June 2014,” said Potgieter.

“The actual hearings are expected to commence around the middle of July 2014 and the venue will be communicated at a later stage.”

The entities directly involved in the eviction would make representations during the first round of hearings. In a later round of hearings residents affected by the eviction would make oral submissions.

Potgieter and his team - Nomhle Dambuza, Mampe Ramotsamai, Butch Steyn, Annelize van Wyk, and Barnabas Xulu - were given until August 5 to conclude the inquiry.

Sisulu would be presented with the findings and recommendations.

On June 2 and 3, about 849 families were removed from land owned by Sanral. Shacks were demolished and set alight. - Sapa

Shack dwellers trash substation

Cape Town - Residents of Kosovo informal settlement in Philippi have destroyed an electricity substation in the area, the City of Cape Town said on Friday.

“Protesters completely stripped and vandalised the Kosovo Main Station, leaving an estimated 5 200 people in the Kosovo and Samora Machel areas in the dark,” said the mayoral committee member for utility services, Ernest Sonnenberg.

It could take up to three months for services to be fully restored to the area, he said, adding that the money being spent on this could have been used to expand infrastructure.

“We respect the right of residents to protest, but this should be done peacefully and not to the detriment of other residents,” said Sonnenberg.

The power station was believed to have been damaged during a protest about the roll-out of container toilets in the area.

A number of container toilets were also destroyed in the protest on Monday. They were among 500 installed there since February. The city had advised the contractor involved to open a case against the vandals.

Sonnenberg said there had been extensive consultation between the city and the community on the preferred means of sanitation before the project was implemented. He said the community had indicated that it preferred container toilets.

“It is very unfortunate that certain individuals in this community have refused to accept this and have gone back on the agreement.

“They have acted irresponsibly, with the end result being that thousands of innocent residents will be without power for a considerable time.”

Sonnenberg said the installation of full-flush toilets in informal settlements was “often impossible” due to population density and topographical impediments.

“In the case of Kosovo, it was not possible to provide this type of sanitation as it is situated in a very low-lying area.”

He said the city's sewers were largely gravity-driven, making the conveyance of sewage away from the area through a sewerage pipe impossible.

The city would deploy additional security to guard the substation against further theft and vandalism.

Sonnenberg said city was doing all it could to restore power as quickly as possible to the area, and urged residents to co-operate.

“Experience has taught us that it is only through co-operation with our communities that we can make progress towards the provision of quality sanitation for all residents,” he said.

- Sapa

Macassar: Lindiwe Sisulu's dept provided me with incorrect information - Patricia de Lille

Cape Town mayor sincerely apologises for the confusion that was caused

City working with the Macassar community to make progress possible

The people earmarked for the Macassar Housing Project will be drawn from the Housing Database and must meet the qualification criteria. The City of Cape Town is planning further engagement with the Project Steering Committee which has been elected by the Macassar community.

During my meeting with the National Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, the City's Human Settlements Directorate had provided me with information on a piece of land where the Macassar Housing Project is situated. It was suggested to me as a possible solution to the housing needs of the people of Lwandle. But, at the stage of receiving the information, I was not aware that this is the same piece of land where the Macassar Housing Project is situated.

The Human Settlements department supplied me with information that was incorrect.

The City of Cape Town sincerely apologises for the confusion that was caused.

The people of Ward 109, who qualify for a housing opportunity, will be accommodated in the broader Macassar Development Precinct in the future. Ward 109 comprises residents from Macassar and also a small portion of land in Khayelitsha, called Enkanini.

The people from Lwandle were asked to go back to the SANRAL land until the issue of the road reserve is resolved. It is intended that the SANRAL evictees who meet the qualification criteria will eventually be moved to suitable land.

Statement issued by the Cape Town Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille,

- Politicsweb

Protesters cause mayhem on Mew Way

Cape Town - Part of Khayelitsha erupted on Tuesday morning as protesting residents burnt tyres, stoned a bus, attacked a provincial government worker and clashed with police.

Residents from S section, took to the streets in protest over a general lack of housing and an apparent breakdown in relations with the City of Cape Town’s Human Settlements portfolio.

Protesters burned tyres and barricaded Pama Road and Mew Way in the early hours before clashing with riot police.

At dawn the fires had been extinguished and police were monitoring the scene. The smell of tear gas hung in the air.

After a period of calm, protesters regrouped in a side street and attacked a Golden Arrow bus.

Young men stoned the bus as commuters scrambled for the exit and ran for safety.

By the time police arrived, the trashed and abandoned bus was idling in the middle of Thandazo Street.

Lulama Matiwane, an HIV/Aids liaison staffer for the Western Cape government, was attacked when he inadvertently drove to the corner of Pama and Kusasa roads where protesters were burning tyres. He escaped after being hit on the head with a stone, which left a big gash. The car was burnt.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andre Traut said no arrests had been made and police continued to monitor the scene at Pama Road.

Local residents spoke to the Cape Argus about their frustrations over the lack of housing and services.

Thembeka Gqawuza, 40, moved to S section in 1997 and lives in a two-roomed shack with her husband and six children.

She was prevented from going to work at Century City because of the protests and feared she would get a warning from her employer.

Yet she said sympathised with her more militant neighbours who mobilised at 3am and trashed the road outside her shack.

“I can’t do that, but I understand why the people resort to these tactics. I do not feel endangered by the protests… it is the police sent by the government to suppress us that we fear,” she said as a rag protected her nose and mouth from the teargas.

“I have to stay at home to ensure that my children are not harmed by the cops.”

Lebogang Bulane, 30, gave the Cape Argus a confused rundown of meetings and failed engagements with the city’s Human Settlements portfolio. The recent cabinet reshuffle, apparently bringing officials into the portfolio who had no knowledge of this history, was a tipping point for the community.

“We have played the ‘official’ game with meetings and paperwork and lists. Now we are done with that. Nothing has changed since I moved here as a child in 1995.

“The police open the road, they think that we’re done. But we are just having breakfast. These protests are far from over.”

Gqawuza said other than the lack of proper housing, a shortage of toilets was the S section community’s other big grievance.

The Human Settlements portfolio had not responded to queries by the time of publication.

daneel.knoetze@inl.co.za

- Cape Argus

The ‘horrendous’ reality of poor people

A top human rights official has described the “horrendous” reality of poor people who continue to live with no access to water, proper sanitation and decent living conditions as “degrading and unacceptable”.

Pregs Govender, deputy chairwoman of the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), said a Soweto woman who stripped naked in protest over bucket toilets in her hostel not being emptied for three months, used her body to make a “powerful statement”.

Nomathemba Hlongwane pulled her pants and underwear down and flashed her backside at passing motorists on a busy Chris Hani Road this week in a defiant protest action that saw her pictures go around the world.

Govender, who leads the commission’s work on water and sanitation, said: “Instead of just sitting quietly and being brutalised by her conditions, she (Hlongwane) did something quite powerful”.

She said her actions in the face of “daily humiliation and brutalisation has brought attention to a terrible problem”.

“She actually took her body and used it to make a very powerful statement to say ‘look at this, we might as well pour it (poo) in the freeway’,” she said. “People who don’t have water and sanitation are still the same people that didn’t under apartheid. This is not how people should live every day.”

She likened Hlongwane’s protest to the Crossroads protest in the 1980s near Cape Town, when women faced Casspirs and took their clothes off to stop them coming in and destroying their community.

“It’s an old tactic and in this instance she (Hlongwane) did get the attention of local and international media. People can’t just be judging her.”

Govender said the commission had been investigating a similar complaint to the Diepkloof hostel at the women’s hostel in Alexandra township in which “the conditions are absolutely dreadful”.

“The reality is that the government has committed to completely transforming the hostel system in our country and yet we have a situation where people today are still living in such conditions.

“The hostels have not been transformed to the extend that was promised; in fact in many of them the conditions are still as dreadful.”

These, she said, were the people for whom the promise of democracy was to change their lives to make sure that “we don’t have such unequal country”.

The commission has investigated several cases of human rights violations on the daily basis in communities denied basic necessities since 2010 from the open toilets in Makhaza near Cape Town to deadly water protests in Madibeng in the North West, where protesters were killed.

Govender said 20 years into democracy children shouldn’t be dying of water-borne disease. Nor should people get killed in a water protest in an area called Madibeng – a place of water.

If the government had a clear pro-active strategy that involved all in its spheres of governance “we wouldn’t be having the problems we’re having”. She said this year immediate action was taken after the death of four people in Mothutlung in Madibeng and what this showed was that it can be done.

“SANDF trucks came in and helped with water provision. It is possible to utilise the resources of our country to ensure that people have access to water and sanitation.

“The North West premier ensured the diversion of water from a mining company to the community. It is possible for all our government to co-operate and collaborate and it shouldn’t just take people dying to do so, or people protesting. It should be a pro-active response of government.”

According to figures on sanitation needs from the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, more than 324 000 households, mostly in informal areas have no access to services.

In Gauteng, there are more than 140 000 households without sanitation services and 58 306 of those are in Joburg’s informal areas.

Govender said the national average of the statistics looked quite good but when disaggregated to the poorest communities the situation went through the roof. She said while the Ministry of Human Settlements was committed to the eradication of bucket system, the commission found that the goal posts kept shifting.

- Pretoria News Weekend