Several City vehicles have been damaged since Friday, 9 July 2021, during sporadic protests in Mfuleni, following action to prevent unlawful occupation by the City’s Anti-Land Invasion Unit. A court order is in place prohibiting the unlawful occupation of land in this area.

The City of Cape Town condemns the acts of violence that have been perpetrated against City staff in Mfuleni in recent days.

Since Friday, a Law Enforcement vehicle was petrol-bombed, as well as the Law Enforcement base in the area; two Metro Police vehicles were damaged after being stoned, and a Solid Waste vehicle was set alight. The lives of staff doing their work and upholding the law has been threatened severely.

Earlier today, 11 July 2021, the Law Enforcement base was targeted once again.

‘These violent acts are reminiscent of similar scenes last year, when the City acted to prevent the illegal occupation of land. We cannot tolerate this level of lawlessness by a minority, who insists on justifying their illegal acts through violence directed at staff, and other law abiding citizens. The City is working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS), as they are the lead agency tasked with public order policing, to bring those responsible to book,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Several persons have been taken into custody since the unrest started. One of those was a woman who tried to resist arrest on Friday, by undressing herself in front of officers. Female Law Enforcement officers stepped in and covered the suspect with a blanket, before effecting the arrest on charges of public violence and incitement, public indecency and resisting arrest.

‘This is not the first incident of this nature, where an individual has removed clothing as a means of evading arrest. To counter this, the City has equipped enforcement staff with blankets in their vehicles, as a means of ensuring they’re able to address such incidents where they may occur,’ added Alderman Smith.

‘The City acts to prevent the unlawful occupation of land as it holds extreme health and safety hazards for residents and jeopardises the welfare of entire communities. The City will continue to act to uphold the Rule of Law,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi.

Source: City Of Cape Town