Resort set alight during residents’ protest
THREE people were arrested for public violence after buildings were set alight at Monwabisi Resort in Khayelitsha, during a protest yesterday.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said the protest started in the early hours resulting in the closing of Baden Powell Drive between Swartklip and the N2.
Van Wyk said according to reports, residents of Monwabisi Park informal settlement in Khayelitsha have complained about the toilet services and they blocked the road with rubble and burning tyres.
“The traffic was diverted. The protesters went over the road and forced their way into Monwabisi resort and burned down two buildings. Three suspects, two males and a female, aged between 36 and 41 have been arrested on charges of public violence,” he said.
Van Wyk said the arrested suspects were due to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court.
Mayor Dan Plato said the reasons for the protest remained unclear, “but it cannot justify the destruction of public property in the manner that we have witnessed”.
However, community leader Mazola Mthimkhulu said the City promised to give them temporary toilets and water, saying they will only remove it when they put flushing toilets.
Mthimkhulu said the initial agreement was five houses would share a toilet and 25 houses would share a tap and they employed people from the area as well to clean the toilets.
“Now they want to remove the clean toilets we are having and replace it with a portable flushing toilet known as potapota, while they replaced taps with water tanks. We were not even consulted,” he said.
Plato said it was not the first time that the resort was targeted and it was shameful that public funding would now have to be diverted from other crucial projects to fix the damage.
“There is simply no valid reason to destroy a beautiful recreational facility that has for years been used by the residents of Khayelitsha and surrounds,” Plato said.
He said families who throughout the year enjoy the space and all its amenities, including a swimming pool, picnic spots and braai facilities, would no longer be able to enjoy those spaces.
“In the 2019/20 financial year, approximately R2 million was spent upgrading and painting the facility in preparation for the festive season, when the resort sees up to 1000 visitors daily during its peak,” Plato said.
He said the 26 accommodation units also attract bookings from tourists from all over the country, who secure their holidays months in advance, at a resort that is reputable for being both affordable and efficiently run.
“It is unfortunate that Monwabisi Resort has become a target for community protests. Not too long ago, a vehicle was burnt at the resort. Although the resort is currently closed, these actions put in danger security personnel and contractor staff who are on site throughout the year, completing repairs and maintenance.”
He said those involved in burning the facility should be ashamed of their actions.
He urged residents who know those involved, to “please send an anonymous tip-off to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline so that we can investigate without delay”.