Residents demand housing from city
law books,” Mbolekwa said.
The family, who were too emotional, sat in their designated seats in the church, weeping. Tears rolled down his girlfriend and colleague constable Noludwe Tshanga’s face as she kept glancing at the picture of him displayed on the overhead projector. She was comforted by two of Sandla’s aunts.
Led by Jula, the family lit candles for Sandla. Tshanga was handed flowers and a photo frame with a picture of the slain officer.
Sandla’s uncle, Mzivukile Sandla, said the family had high expectations of him.
“Mthetho honoured his work. He was a good child and whenever I was facing difficulties he was always willing to help. He died a hero.
“I don’t know what is happening in South Africa. Police are here to protect us, but we are the same people who attack them,” he said.
Sandla had been with the Delft police for 11 years.
Delft station commander Colonel Luyanda Damoyi described Sandla as a “disciplined worker”.
“When I got the news of his murder I never questioned whether he was wearing a bullet proof vest or not, because I knew he was disciplined and would always wear it unlike other police officers who I need to remind.
“Mthetho never disappointed or embarrassed your family,” he told the bereaved. “He was a good example. We as the police are proud of him. He died with his boots on, going to a crime scene to prevent a crime,” Damoyi said.
The family received a R15 000 donation from a Caltex garage representative. ANGRY residents of Tambo Square informal settlement in Gugulethu have expressed their feelings at what they regard as an empty promise of housing by mayor Patricia de Lille.
During a protest at the Cape Town Civic Centre, one of the residents, Ella Tshadi, 43, said they had been promised a new housing development in 2011, but nothing has happened since.
“Patricia de Lille told us she would intervene regarding our depressing living conditions.
“She realised that nothing was done in 2010 and promised she would implement a project for better housing, but today there is still nothing. We have been waiting for five years for houses.”
Brandishing posters that read: “No project, No Vote”, she said they had been arrested after fighting people who have double plots while they were in need of houses.
Another resident, Siphokazi Gushman, 33, described their livingconditions as “ghastly and uncomfortable”.
“Living in a shack in this cold weather is beyond frustrating and intolerable. I was 18 when I started living here and there is still no change, yet we vote.
“I never even thought I would have a child while still in this condition. It has been years of waiting.
LIVING IN A SHACK IN THIS COLD WEATHER IS BEYOND FRUSTRATING AND INTOLERABLE. I WAS 18 WHEN I STARTED LIVING HERE
“I lost my second child due to illness as a result of the unbearable state of that place.”
Gushman said they experienced difficulty in rainy conditions, as their shacks flooded during winter.
She said the water damaged their furniture, causing sleepless nights.
Sandile Bebe, from the mayor’s office, said De Lille was unable to attend to the protesters at the time as she hadn’t expected the protest.
He also said a meeting would be held on June 29, where the protesters could address their concerns, and also hear the latest update on the project from the mayor.
Residents committee member Ntombiyodwa Qwela said if an agreement was not met on that day, they would continue with their protest action.