4 October 2010
Eye Witness News: Baden Powell Drive reopened after protest action
http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=49775
Baden Powell Drive reopened after protest action
Nathan Adams
The Western Cape Traffic Department on Friday morning said Baden Powell Drive has been reopened after the protest action in Khayelitsha.
Civic group Abahlali baseMjondolo confirmed it was behind the blockade, which saw a group of people burning tyres and rubbish between Lansdowne and Mew Way.
Motorists were advised to avoid Baden Powell Drive until the road was cleared.
Abahlali baseMjondolo said the protest was part of a month long campaign against a lack of services.
Spokesperson Mzonke Poni said they initially planned protest action for the last week of October but that communities said they could no longer wait.
http://longwalksincefreedom.blogspot.com/2010/10/protestors-block-major-exit-on-n1.html
Protestors block major exit on N1 outside Cape Town
A major exit off the N1 outside Cape Town had to be closed off early Friday morning because of protestors burning tyres and rubble in the road.
Traffic authorities closed Baden Powell drive between Lansdowne and Mew Way and advised motorists to avoid using the road until further notice.
Civic group Abahlali baseMjondolo has confirmed it was behind the protest action in Khayelitsha.
The poor people’s alliance’s spokesperson Mzonke Poni said they had warned that if their service delivery demands were not met by the beginning of October, they would declare a month of protests in informal settlements.
“We are making now another call to all communities that are affiliated to Abahlali baseMjondolo, and all those that are not affiliated, to go out and take to the streets and protest for the whole month of October,” he added.
By 7am the only remnants of the protest was the burnt rubble they left behind but the road remained cordoned off as officials cleared it.
Police have not arrested anyone, saying the perpetrators made a quick getaway.
Metro police have stepped up patrols in the area.
(Edited by Lisa Bartlett)