VIOLENCE SUBSIDES:
Calm was restored to the Zwelihle informal settlement in Hermanus yesterday following a meeting with officials. Thousands of protesting residents went on the rampage on Monday, with many becoming embroiled in running battles with the police. A police station and a library were torched. Shops were also looted.
ZWELIHLE community leaders in Hermanus say the calm restored in the area will last if officials deliver on their promises made to the community following a mass meeting yesterday.
About 5 000 residents met officials from provincial and local government, including Overberg Municipality executive mayor Dudley Coetzee and Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela.
Their meeting followed days of running battles between protesters and police.
A satellite police station and a municipal building, a library and a vehicle belonging to law enforcement officers were torched.
Shops were looted and more than 25 people arrested.
The violence broke out on Friday after residents attempted to invade a vacant piece of land.
Community leader Sizwe Vuma said: “We told the minister how we are struggling and how long we have been waiting for homes, while newcomers in the area jump the housing list.
“The land we want has been promised to be made available to us. A committee will be set up of leaders of all the affected wards and once the municipality gives the go-ahead, we will start moving on to the land.”
Vuma said that the committee would work with officials and ensure basic services were provided until the housing development began.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said additional police deployments comprising members from neighbouring police stations, public order police and members of the K9 unit were monitoring the situation.
Police said three SAPS vehicles were damaged and one member injured in several runins with protesters.
Parliament portfolio committee on police chairperson Francois Beukman said: “We call on the leaders in all communities to direct their members to ensure that the infrastructure and facilities of the SAPS do not become the target of criminals and arsonists. Police stations are there to serve all citizens, and should never be used as a tool for short-term gain.”
The Overberg mayor said there were many challenges the municipality faced before the identified land could be developed for housing.
He said Madikizela had vowed to step in and engage the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and the further issue of funding related to supplying the necessary basic services.
Madikizela said he was “more than confident” that after yesterday’s talks, calm would be restored.
ANC provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs condemned the destruction and violence, and said they supported the community’s call for prime land to build integrated and quality houses.