Mitchells Plain, Isiqhalo communities reach agreement
MITCHELLS Plain residents have agreed to support those from the Isiqhalo informal settlement in their bid to get better service delivery.
The announcement was made by community leaders during a Cosatu press briefing at the Cape Town City Hall yesterday.
Pastor Franklin Williams from Mitchells Plain said: “Mitchells Plain is here to find a solution.”
Over the past few weeks residents have been angry at the Isiqhalo community because of roadblocks during protests on Jakes Gerwel (Vanguard Drive) Drive.
During the protest action, Isiqhalo residents barricaded the road by burning tyres which trapped Mitchells Plain residents or forced them to use alternative routes.
Williams said he first heard of the unrest on social media.
“I received a Facebook message saying Mitchells Plain people were in combat with Isiqhalo residents.”
He said residents were also blaming the informal settlement residents for the crime in the area.
“I was also warned that I would not make it out alive should I enter the informal settlement.”
Isiqhalo informal settlement chairman Sandiso Ngxamngxa said Isiqhalo residents had no feud with the people of Mitchells Plain.
“We heard they were armed and wanted to burn our shacks so we were also ready to defend ourselves.”
Ngxamngxa said Isiqhalo residents were also affected by the protests which took place last year and the most recent one, last month.
“Mitchells Plain people were not the only ones who suffered, we had to sacrifice for our grievances to be heard and blocking roads was the only way to do so. The city was not helping us, nor was the mayor responding to our cries.”
Ngxamngxa accused ward 75 councillor Natalie Bent of causing racial segregation between the two communities.
But Bent refuted the claims: “I will never incite communities against one and other.”
She said she was pleased that the two communities had reached an agreement.
On Saturday, the two communities will be holding a joint meeting to discuss a way forward. – Staff Reporter
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