Anti-Privatisation Forum Statement (3 September 2007)

APF Service delivery protests by range of communities across the Vaal and Greater Soweto attacked by police early this morning

Community member in Protea South knocked down by car in road and killed instantly

8 arrested in Kliptown and 6 in Protea South. Scores shot at and chased into their homes. Journalists being harassed

In Vaal, heavily armed police everywhere firing randomly and are conducting house-to-house searches for community leaders who remain in ‘hiding’

From very early this morning, a range of poor communities – which include Boiketlong, Kanana, Dunusa and Sonderwater in the Vaal as well as Kliptown, Freedom Park and Protea South in Greater Soweto – embarked on a series of protests against lack of service delivery.

In Protea South, one community resident taking part in the protest was knocked down by a car in the road and died instantly. Police began shooting randomly and chasing protesters through the settlement but residents fought back and forced the police back onto the main roads. While conducting a press interview, Protea South community leader, Maureen Mnisi was arrested along with 5 others residents. They are presently being held in Protea Police Station without charge.

In Kliptown, 7 residents alongside APF organiser, Thabo Modisane, have been arrested by a private security near the railway line. All these comrades were heavily beaten by these private security thugs. They are presently being held in Kliptown Police Station without charge.

In the variously mentioned communities in the Vaal, police forces immediately attacked community residents who had taken up positions on various roads, shooting randomly and chasing residents back into the homes. At present, although no one has been arrested, police are systematically conducting house-to-house searches to try and ‘flush out’ community leaders.

THE APF EXTENDS ITS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF THE COMRADE KILLED IN THE PROTEA SOUTH ACCIDENT

THE APF CONDENMS THE INDISCRIMINATE USE OF VIOLENCE BY THE POLICE AGAINST COMMUNITY PROTESTERS AND THE VIOLENT CONDUCT OF PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS.

THE APF DEMANDS THAT POLICE IMMEDIATELY STOP THEIR CONTINUED HARRASSMENT OF JOURNALISTS AND GENERAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STOP THE CONTINUED VIOLATION/INVASION OF RESIDENTS HOMES

For further comment/information contact on the scene contact:
IN THE VAAL: Patra Sindane on 073-052-7005 and/or Mish on 079 812-4724
IN KLIPTOWN: Thabo Modisane on 078 129-7797
IN PROTEA SOUTH: Virginia on 078 473-3086
OR CONTACT APF ORGANISER – Silumko on 072 173-7268