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TUESDAY 25 August 2020 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za | Website: www.peoplespost.co.za
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People’s Post
A cabinet stands deserted in the open field. PHOTOS: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
KENSINGTON:
‘They destroyed our homes’ KAYLYNNE BANTOM KAYLYNNE.BANTOM@MEDIA24.COM
“L
aw enforcement officers came here and broke down our homes. They didn’t even give us any explanation.” So says Bradley White, a resident in an informal settlement in 18th Avenue, Kensington. On Friday 14 August, 16 informal dwellings were torn down by law enforcement officials during a land invasion operation carried out by the City of Cape Town. Chaos ensued when the affected residents clashed with law enforcement and police officials. White, who has been living in the informal settlement for several months, says he is furious that law enforcement officials broke down his home – a home he shares with his partner and his four-year-old daughter. People’s Post first reported on the group of residents living in 18th Avenue in June, (“Locals suffer water woes”, People’s Post, 23 June 2020). Illona Crouch, 18th Avenue informal settlement committee member, says: “I was at work and I was told to come home immediately because people’s homes were being torn down. Why didn’t anybody communi-
cate with us? We are decent residents, why hard-earned money go to waste. must they treat us like this?” Kevin Inglis, a volunteer at Kenfac ComAccording to Crouch, not all of the struc- munity Action Network and communicatures were newly erected. “They were break- tion officer for the 18th Avenue residents, ing down informal dwellings which were al- says what the City did is inhumane. “Just ready standing, that is eviction and not land further up the road in Voortrekker there is invasion. One person was sleeping peaceful- a group of refugees living in a large tent. ly when, suddenly, the roof of his dwelling They have generators and get meals three was torn down.” times per day. Here in this informal settleAngelo Christians says his son, Anthony, ment, this group gets nothing. The City does shares a room with him and, just a few weeks not even regularly provide them with waago, his son ter.” had gathered Inglis says enough money what is even to start buildmore infuriing his own inating is peoformal dwellple were left ing next to his. homeless “The strucwhilst exture was halftremely cold way done, he weather and just needed a a storm was bit more buildpredicted for ing material to that weekcomplete it,” end. explains ChrisMalusi tians. Booi, Mayco He says he member for had to stand by Altogether 16 informal dwellings were torn down by law human settlehelplessly and enforcement officials during what the City describes as a ments, inwatch his son’s land invasion operation. sists it was a
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land invasion operation, not an eviction. “These were new structures which were in the process of being constructed. The City is acting to reduce the impact of land invasion on our communities at large and will continue to intervene for the stability of our communities and our law-abiding residents.” Booi says members of the public complained about the erection and construction of new structures which resulted in the City and police officials taking action. As to the question why residents were not informed about the operation, Booi answers: “The land-owners and residents on the site are aware of the procedure followed by the City should new illegal structures or land invasions occur.” Booi says since Saturday 11 July more than 109 land invasions were reported while 25 000 plots were cleared from plots that demarcate land for illegal occupation. Inglis says while the affected residents are still left without a roof over their head some of the children were offered shelter at the Play Sport4life offices in Maitland. “The residents of Kensington and Factreton, including Pinelands Community Action Network, donated clothes, groceries, tents, mattresses, sleeping bags and ready-made meals.”