Frog march
TOURISM CHAOS: MAYOR EXPRESSES SHOCK AT TOUGH ACTION AGAINST PEACEFUL PROTESTERS Business owners, employees met with water cannon and stun grenades.
A hospitality worker is arrested by police during a peaceful protest in the streets around parliament in Cape Town yesterday. Police used stun grenades and water cannons to disperse a gathering of hospitality workers who were peacefully protesting against the lockdown regulations that are crippling their industry.
Cape Town mayor Dan Plato has expressed outrage at police action against tourism industry protesters who were blasted by a water cannon during a peaceful protest yesterday.
A contingent of South African Police Service (Saps) staff fired a water cannon to disperse several dozen tourism industry members in the city centre, who holding aloft placards in protest at the lockdown regulations, which are keeping much of the tourism industry closed for business.
After the protest at parliament was dispersed, protesters lined up in Roeland Street – but the water cannon truck and police troops soon arrived to tackle them again.
“No gatherings of any kind are allowed under disaster management act Level 3 regulations,” boomed an instructing police officer from a loudhailer.
“We have warned you previously. Remember, this time you will face arrest.”
In Buitengracht Street, not far from parliament, police fired the water cannon at patrons of the Truth Coffee cafe – sending outdoor furniture flying.
Protesters holding placards aloft kept ahead of police – trying to stay out of the water cannon’s forceful reach. But many were hit and drenched – including journalists with camera equipment.
Plato said in response to the scenes: “It is unacceptable that a peaceful protest by business owners and employees fearing for the loss of their livelihoods, is met with water cannons and stun grenades. Reported claims from the Saps members on the scene that ‘protests are not allowed under lockdown’ does not hold water as several protests have been allowed outside parliament during lockdown without the use of such intimidation tactics.
“The hospitality and tourism sectors are vital to Cape Town’s economy, but because of the national government regulations, they are facing complete financial ruin. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are in jeopardy.”
On the volatile scene, Democratic Alliance chief whip in parliament Natasha Mazzone said she would accept the protesters’ petition – as this had not been accepted at parliament.
“We need to save these people’s lives – they are not hurting anyone, they are not being a danger to anyone. Stop bombing them with water. Stop it!”
Interviewed by News24, she said: “I believe this group of peaceful protesters has a petition they would like to hand to parliament. They were chased away from the parliamentary entrance with water cannons. I am here to fetch their petition ... and I will hand it in to parliament.”
Spokesperson for the #ServeUsPlease protest Ashleigh Perremore, yesterday said participants adhered to all measures to ensure safety protocols were followed.
Perremore claimed the police’s use of stun grenades and a water cannon was what caused the social distancing measures to collapse. – News24 Wire
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