Khayelitsha land invaders re-occupy land, vandalise hall

CHAOS erupted in Khayelitsha as evicted residents returned to occupy land.

Hundreds of people have been occupying three vacant pieces of land at Town Two illegally at the weekend. They were earlier evicted under a court order obtained by the City of Cape Town. The R7 million Solomon Mahlangu community hall in Walter Sisulu Road in Khayelitsha was one of the properties that was vandalised by angry backyarders from Town Two.

Another Golden Arrow bus was also set alight. The city will be challenging the matter in the high court on July 7. In response disgruntled residents said they are not shaken by the court order, despite being forcibly removed by law enforcement agencies. When the Cape Argus arrived in Town Two, the community hall had been further vandalised. All of the windows were broken, the door smashed, the trees and vegetation planted around this precinct ripped out. Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said on Sunday at approximately 2pm, an attempt was made to burn down the Solomon Mahlangu Hall.

“After the Land Invasion Unit and SAPS had left the area, a group of people set the rear canopy of a bakkie alight inside the foyer of the hall in an attempt to burn down the building.

The City’s Rapid Response team had to be called back urgently to protect the hall. The fire department were able to respond in time to stop the fire from taking hold of the building, but it has sustained severe smoke damage rendering it unusable. Staff were stationed inside the hall overnight over the weekend in case further attempts were made to burn down the hall.” The Special Investigation Unit have opened a case and will be investigating this incident. The Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) has criticised the residents for re-occupying the land.

KDF chairperson Ndithini Tyhido said they condemn violence and vandalism, as this will set back the community