Violence sets us back – City
Joe Slovo land invaders petrol-bomb two MyCiTi bus stations
COSTS associated with attacks on MyCiTi buses are mounting and setting them back, the City of Cape Town revealed. This comes after violent protests by Joe Slovo land invaders, who pelted two buses with stones, petrol-bombed Omuramba MyCiTi station and Phoenix station, on Friday.
In June, the city estimated it will cost R2 million to repair damage caused by ongoing protests in Joe Slovo, which has resulted in the torching of a MyCiTi bus and two public buildings.
“There have been too many attacks on buses in the same area over the past few months and we need the police and the prosecuting authorities to act. A bus costs about R2.5 million to replace. Attacking and destroying MyCiTi buses undermines all of the progress we are making to roll out decent and reliable public transport,” mayoral committee member for transport and urban development Brett Herron said. The violence was reportedly triggered as residents were forcibly removed from a piece of City-owned land.
Tyres were burnt to block Freedom Way. Police were pelted with stones and two MyCiTi buses and two police vehicles were damaged. Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said seven protesters – three men aged between 18 and 30 and four women aged between 28 and 36 – are due to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court today on charges of public violence.
Zoleka Nondalana said about 300 people will go to court today to support the seven that will be appearing.
“We are all in this together so we will stand together and support them.We are also planning a march, but not sure when it will be. Some people slept outside in the cold, as they do not have relatives to go to so they are rebuilding now.The City must make a housing plan for us soon. As backyarders we are struggling to afford rent, so no we will not stop until we see some movement from the City.”