Hundreds protested yesterday in Mandela Park after assault by Chippa security guards
Anti-Eviction Press Release
On behalf of Mandela Park
Thursday 12 November 2009
Yesterday morning, two Mandela Park residents were assaulted by four Chippa security guards at the instruction of the
local SANCO chairperson. The two residents along with 7 witnesses went to the police station to lay a charge against the
guards. As retribution, the local SANCO chairperson laid a counter charge of intimidation against one of the residents
who he ordered to be assaulted - backyarder Khaya Xintolo. Khaya was then arrested and kept in police custody for more
than 11 hours even though the detective himself admitted that there was no case against Khaya.
Khaya was reluctantly allowed to leave after fellow backyarders demanded his immediate release. He will appear in
Khayelitsha Magistrates Court at 9am this morning. Mandela Park residents will be present in numbers to support Khaya
and to testify against the SANCO chairperson and the Chippa security guards.
Yesterday evening, more than 300 residents took to the street. We staged a strictly peaceful protest (but some residents
warn that the patience of the community is running out). We roamed through most of Mandela Park for many hours singing
and toyi-toying.
The protest was in part a response to the continued violence and intimidation against community activists by police,
security guards and the SANCO affiliated leadership. But the protest was also to demonstrate our grievances and to let
the government know that they must not ignore the residents of Mandela Park. There is still a serious housing crisis
here in Mandela Park.
MEC Bonginkosi Madezikizela has lied to us over and over. Yesterday he gave houses to people from Gugulethu but ignored
promises made to our own community. Yesterday, our protest was to let Madezikizela know that our patience is running
thin and that he better start addressing our Constitutional right to housing. Mandela Park is a ticking time bomb and
the MEC is making it tick even faster each time he lies to and misleads residents.
ENDS