Protest turns violent DALEEN FOUCHÉ
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member of the provincial parliament in the Western Cape has advised the Langeberg Municipality to sue the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) for damages amounting to an estimated R10 million. Dr Ivan Meyer, the Langeberg constituent in the provincial parliament, also Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, recommended that SANCO be held responsible by the municipality for the damages to municipal property which was inflicted during an illegal protest last week. It came only one day after a
The recycling plant at the Zolani landfill site was still burning on Thursday morning, July 14.
ruling by the Constitutional Court, holding the trade union SATAWU liable for riot damage in Cape Town in 2006. According to Business Unity South Africa, the ruling has set a precedent for businesses and property owners to take legal action against the organisers of protests that result in the loss of property. The Langeberg Municipality announced yesterday (Monday) that it will press criminal charges against the organisers, protesters and SANCO, and pursue a civil case against them to recover damages. SANCO could not be reached for comment on this announcement. The illegal protest erupted on Wednesday (June 13) – fifteen days after a legal protest by Zolani residents, organised by SANCO, during which residents gave executive mayor Diana Gagiano a memorandum of grievances and 14 days to respond. Protesters once again marched to the Ashton municipal buildings, where rocks were thrown and rubbish bins burned. Simultaneously, protesters blocked the R60 between Ashton and Swellendam with a municipal skip. After police dispersed the group in Ashton, the protest continued in Zolani. A clash between police and protesters erupted after the arrest of five
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protesters. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, but could not prevent protesters from storming the Zolani police station. Captain Sylvan Smith, station commander of the Ashton police, says protesters were responsible for burning a municipal truck, vandalising and starting a fire at the Zolani police station and burning down the recycling centre at the Ashton landfill site. Two spaza shops were also vandalised and emptied. Simo Mketso, general secretary of SANCO, told the Gazette that the protest erupted because they have not received any “positive feedback” from the mayor. But municipal manager Soyisile Mokweni says the municipality invited SANCO to a meeting for clarity on their grievances, but that SANCO refused the invitation. An emergency meeting between the municipality, police and SANCO was held at about 20:00 on Wednesday evening where all parties came to an agreement. The details of this meeting were not disclosed. On Thursday, however, protesters gathered in Zolani once again. Police closed the R60 and motorists were advised to take alternative routes. Gagiano, along with other municipal representatives, entered Zolani in an armoured vehicle to address the protesters.
Protesters throw rocks at the police during an illegal protest in Ash ton last Wednesday night (June 13). Photos: Daleen Fouché
Two shops were ransacked. All their contents were stolen. She apologised for not visiting earlier, explaining that circumstances prevented her from doing so. She announced that the municipality is negotiating with a neighbouring farmer regarding buying his land for the use of houses and other necessary additions to the township. She explained to protesters
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that most of their grievances fall under the mandate of the provincial and national government, but assured them that the request for a school and day hospital has been communicated to the relevant departments. Gagiano committed to providing further feedback to the community by the end of July. (Read more on page 3.)
Naweek: Bewolkte weer met enkele reënbuie word voorspel. Temperature sal na verwagting onder die 20 °Cmerk bly.