Cape Town - Organisers of the “Cape Town Informal Settlements March” have threatened to bring 25 000 people to the CBD next Friday, regardless of whether they receive a march permit from the City of Cape Town.
“The people will not be deterred,” march organiser Xolani Dywili told the Cape Argus on Thursday.
“We were at a meeting in Kraaifontein on Thursday and the attendees said they would come to Cape Town. The protests on the N2 were also in response to the city’s arrogance in denying the application. This time there will be many more people.”
On Thursday news that the group’s application was turned down prompted sporadic protests and clashes between police and informal settlement residents along the N2, near the R300. Protesters burning tyres blockaded the highway with portable toilets and stoned an ambulance.
“The EMS employee managed to flee from the mob but is severely traumatised. He reported the incident to the SAPS station in Site B Khayelitsha and remained on duty,” said Hélène Rossouw, provincial Department of Health spokeswoman.
Next week’s planned march is a follow-up to a picket outside the provincial legislature on October 30 in which 6 000 protesters marched into the CBD.
City of Cape Town spokeswoman Priya Reddy said the marchers had not received a permit after police had been consulted. “This was largely due to the credible evidence on oath received, which indicated that such a gathering could result in a serious disruption to traffic, injury to persons, and possible damage to property.” She added that the “convener” did not have the resources to control the gatherings as applied for.
The CBD’s vendors had mixed reactions.
“I lost more than R25 000 worth of stock, so I will take the day off if these people return,” said Mahamad Ahmad Farah, a Somali stall owner in St George’s Mall. Steven Banda, a Malawian crafts trader in Greenmarket Square, said he was not worried as traders had managed to band together in self defence.
JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, said police had contingency plans to control an illegal gathering. He again called on police to arrest march leaders Loyiso Nkohla and Andile Lili whom DA provincial leader Ivan Meyer has lodged a criminal case against. No arrests have been made. The police did not respond to queries about the criminal investigation.
daneel.knoetze@inl.co.za
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