Cape Times: We will rebuild shacks – residents

This article fails to note that these demolition were unconstiutional, illegal and criminal acts on the part of the Anti-Land Invasions Unit.

http://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/we-will-rebuild-shacks-residents-1.1509268#.UYJEIaIyZvJ

We will rebuild shacks – residents

Nombulelo Damba

West Cape News

FOR the third time in two weeks, the City of Cape Town’s Anti-Land Invasion Unit clashed with residents in the Marikana informal settlement next to Symphony Way in Philippi East, where 126 shacks were demolished yesterday.

Rubber bullets were fired and one person was arrested as Marikana residents opposed the demolition of their shacks, which they have since re-erected.

Anti-Land Invasion Unit spokesman Stephen Hayward said the city would continue to take down illegal structures in Marikana even though the residents had vowed not to leave the area until the city provided them with alternative accommodation.

The situation was tense yesterday when police arrested Mzwamadoda Fingo, 22, who wanted to take down his shack himself.

Then when resident Xolani Mswabi was seen being held down by police, residents started throwing stones at the police, resulting in the police firing rubber bullets.

Residents said they had nowhere else to go because they were unemployed and could not afford rent.

Fingo said police refused to let him take down his own shack, which he wanted to do to ensure his building materials were not damaged. When he insisted on doing so, two officers handcuffed him and took him to the Philippi police station. Mswabi said he was also trying to retrieve his building materials when a city official pushed him.

Mswabi fought back but police officers restrained him before letting him go.

Resident Zoe Zulu, 36, who is a mother of two children, said officials started demolishing her shack while she was still inside feeding her five-year-old daughter. She said the Anti-Land Invasion Unit officers first asked her for water, which she gave to them, before destroying her house.

When West Cape News arrived, Zulu was carrying her one-month-old son while the five-year-old was crying. She did not know where to go.

“This is very painful. I’ve been renting a shack in Lower Crossroads, paying more than R500 a month.

“Recently I lost my job, so I could not afford to pay rent, that’s why I decided to build my shack here. It’s not nice living here with a one-month-old child but I do not have a choice,” she said.

Zulu said she had not been able to save anything from her home.

Residents said they will simply rebuild their shacks again, while more than 100 residents marched to Philippi East police station looking for a place to sleep.

Yesterday afternoon Hayward said the situation was calm but the Anti-Land Invasion Unit would continue to monitor the situation.