Sol, protesters in stalemate
THE SOL Plaatje Municipality is refusing to cave in to pressure to withdraw an interim interdict to prevent the invasion of land at the Lerato Park housing development, while residents are in turn vowing to keep barricading Barkly Road with bricks and burning tyres.
This resulted in a stalemate after officials from the Premier’s Office yesterday promised protesters that they would facilitate the withdrawal of the court order in exchange for the reopening of the road, which has remained closed to traffic since Monday night.
Angry residents yesterday emptied their uncollected sewage buckets onto the street.
“The worms are crawling out of the buckets and into our backsides. We also want to be able to flush and spray toilet spray so that it can smell fragrant after we have done our business.”
Protesters instructed the officials to call the premier to immediately authorise the withdrawal of the eviction and interdict orders.
“We wanted a response, as promised, by Monday and yet we are continually ignored. We have already given government too many chances.”
They chanted that they had voted the officials, who yesterday had to face the wrath of the community, into power and they could easily be removed.
“These officials have been placed in the firing line so they must provide us with answers. They are eager to knock on our doors for votes but are missing whenever we have a problem. The ANC had better watch out, or they will lose the elections in 2019. We will all be abstaining from voting.”
The delegation from the Premier’s Office made a commitment to speak to the municipality and the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) about withdrawing the interdict.
They explained that the premier would only return to office next week.
“She will engage with the mayor and the MEC for Coghsta on a political level.”
Manager in the office of the executive mayor, George Mosimane, said that the municipality would not back down.
“We have met with the community on three occasions last month and they have been rude and uncooperative,” said Mosimane.
“The mayor has also been there. We advised them to send community representatives to talk with the mayor. We extended an olive branch to find solutions in an amicable manner, which they have refused. The possibility of resolving the issue is limited, therefore we had no option but to approach the court to protect the land.”
Mosimane added that they would be in court tomorrow to motivate for the interdict to be made final.
“I have also spoken to the chief of staff at the Premier’s Office and we have advised him that we will not be withdrawing the interdict.”
Mosimane pointed out that they could not allow the illegal occupation of municipal land.
“We do not know who we are dealing with as the people who are invading the land are not identifying themselves. For all we know they could be from out of town or do not reside in the area.”
He stated that they were dealing with land invasions with a sense of urgency.
“The number of illegal land invasions is increasing daily. At last count there were eight illegal shacks erected there. The councillor is providing regular updates to the municipality on issues of non-compliance and our peace officers are also there to enforce the regulations and to make sure that they are adhered to.”
Mosimane added that the municipality also had to enforce compliance with by-laws, including the eradication of tuck shops at the Lerato Park housing development.
“We have arranged a community meeting to take place on January 25 where we will provide an update on the housing development.”
He referred enquiries regarding the closure of the road to the police.
“If people are misbehaving and engaging in illegal action, it is up to the police to enforce the law.”
Spokesperson for the Office of the Premier, Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, indicated that senior NOT BUDGING: Lerato Park residents demanded that the Sol Plaatje Municipality withdraw an interdict that was approved to stop the residents to invade and erect shacks at the housing development section. The Sol Plaatje Municipality is refusing to do so. Pictures: Danie van der Lith officials from the Office of the Premier had met with residents of Lerato Park yesterday to listen to their concerns.
“Due to the nature of the concerns it was resolved that the office will have to liaise with Sol Plaatje Municipality and provide the community with feedback.
“Further to this, a commitment was also made that a meeting will be scheduled between all the relevant stakeholders upon the return of the premier next week.”