http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5013309

Mzonke Poni’s case postponed

June 04, 2009 Edition 2

Staff Writer

A MACASSAR community leader who was detained on suspicion of inciting public violence has had his court hearing postponed for two weeks.

Mzonke Poni, chairman of Abahlali baseMjondolo (association of shack dwellers), says when he next appears in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court on June 17 he will plead not guilty.

“It’s difficult for me to understand the charges they are bringing against me.”

He was detained on Monday, after a protest by backyard dwellers demanding they be allowed to erect informal houses on land in Macassar next to the N2.

On Friday the dwellers were awarded an urgent interdict in the Western Cape High Court against the city, preventing it from demolishing shacks they had built on the land.

City spokeswoman Kylie Hatton said the city would apply for an interdict to prevent further occupation. – Staff Writer