Eyewitness News: Civic action group threatens protests over evictions

Madikizela is conveniently ignoring the fact that while a land occupation is illegal it is a minor civil offence (trespass) while his own actions, when he authorizes evictions without a court order, are a criminal offence.

http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=63401

Civic action group threatens protests over evictions
Malungelo Booi

Civic action group Abahlali baseMjondolo on Thursday warned of rolling protests if government does not stop evictions and demolitions in the Western Cape.

The group says it wrote to Human Settlement MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela on Wednesday.

The organisation wants him to sign an undertaking within seven days that no structures will be destroyed, even if erected illegally on government land.

However, the MEC is not budging.

Abahlali baseMjondolo claims a number of people in the province are homeless because of demolitions and it intends ending them once and for all.

The organisation’s provincial chairperson Mzonke Bunu said the MEC has no choice but to agree.

“We will make sure that we do protest in front of his office every day so that he must resign,” he said.

However, Madikizela said he will not be bullied.

“For people to write a letter to me to say that I must condone illegal activities its crazy,” he said.

He warned they will continue dismantling illegally erected structures.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)