Jail time traumatises 8 Greyton activists
MORE than 45 days behind bars for their part in protests in the small hamlet has left eight Greyton land activists traumatised.
Charged with public violence and arson after the town’s market was torched, Henly Gilliom and seven men were remanded in the Caledon prison, following numerous postponements to their bail hearing.
Gilliom said the delays were due to their dissatisfaction with their previous lawyer, which resulted in their current legal counsel restarting the entire process.
“We have spent money we do not have, and more will be required for our continued legal battle, which we don’t have…
“The whole experience has been traumatising, as we are the only breadwinners and we had to sit with criminals while our families had to fend for themselves,” said Gilliom.
He said his wife Joslin Gilliom and three children faced eviction as he could not pay the rent, and their structure at the Madiba Park informal settlement was incomplete.
The activists’ bail conditions do not permit them to participate in any further protests or meetings surrounding the land issue, said Gilliom.
And if it were not for the local homeowners’ association members they might still be behind bars.
Greyton Homeowners’ Association chairperson Mike Ohlsen de Fine said they had written to the State prosecutor stating they did not oppose bail for the arrested men.
He placed the blame for the situation in Greyton and Genadendal at the feet of the Theewaterskloof Municipality.
They could resolve the matter if it were not for their own interests, he said.
Spokesperson for the municipality, Hugo Geldenhuys, said that discussions surrounding the land issue with all the relevant parties were continuing and moving forward.
“Talks have been conducted with a positive mindset with the intention to reach a suitable resolution for all involved.
“Local officials from the departments of Human Settlements, Rural Development and Land Reform and the the beneficiaries of the long- standing land claims have been progressing.
“And we will be able to say more within the coming week,” said Geldenhuys.
He said the resulting decisions would include the Madiba Park community and displaced Bereaville shack dwellers, who had been living in tents at a local camping grounds in the Greytown area since March.