Station bombed after shacks destroyed

POLICE have confirmed they are investigating two cases of malicious damage to property on the Gugulethu fire station and on a municipal vehicle.

Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said the damage was the result of the demolition of illegal structures in Lotus Park informal settlement near Nyanga Junction by the metro police.

The City’s executive director for safety and security, Richard Bosman, said the fire station was targeted by protesters on Friday night.

“Fire damage was caused to the side entrance from a petrol bomb and two window panes in one of the doors were smashed,” Bosman said.

“Fortunately, damage was limited due to the quick action of the City’s Law Enforcement Department.”

He said the station was temporarily closed because the incident, but reopened on Saturday.

Bosman said he was not sure about the motive behind the attack, “but it is not the first time this has happened in Gugulethu”.

Bosman said the station was reopened in December after being closed for months for repairs from previous protest-related damage.

Meanwhile, ward 42 councillor Sonwabo Ngxumza confirmed last week’s protest, but denied that the protesters stoned the fire station. Ngxumza said he knew nothing about damage to the fire station.

He said people’s shacks were destroyed on Thursday and Friday and “this has been an ongoing struggle”.

Ngxumza said from June last year, people’s shacks were being demolished without communication.

“I have been engaging with the City regarding that space.

“It belongs to Prasa, not the City,” Ngxumza said.

Lotus Park committee member Siyavuya Sesiwe said yesterday they planned to camp outside Fezeka municipality until the City told them why their shacks were being destroyed.