Construction vehicles have been forced to abandon a site at Tambo Square following protests by Cape Town residents in Gugulethu Section Four over Cape Town’s construction plans for a piece of land in Tambo Square.
The protests saw NY3 section blocked with burning tyres, rubbish, and rubble.
A number of people took down their shacks for work to begin. Section Four residents however protested when the city commenced work, stating among their wants a children’s play park, a communal facility for the elderly, a crèche, and a satellite police station on the land.
The protests had since forced construction vehicles to leave the site. Section Four community leader Joyce Ngakwe said the shack dwellers were but beneficiaries to the land, not owners as they had been acting.
At a meeting held on February 14, councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli was told that residents wanted the development stopped.
However, the residents registered shock on the day heavy duty vehicles showed up and started working on the land, despite them being given word that their demands would be met.
“It is our wish that Mayor Patricia De Lille should resolve the issue before it escalates further,” said Ngakwe.
One of the protesters, Muzi Mandulo, said all the previous councilors were aware of the matter.
Ward 41 councillor Mimi Manatha referred to the protest as being part of a long-standing issue that a higher structure needed to deal with.
Zanethi Mithi, a long-time Tambo Square resident, said Section Four residents were being “very unfair”.
“They live comfortably with flush toilets in their homes. We now also wish to do away with the bucket system toilets and enjoy the basic rights and privileges the development is all about.”
City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for informal settlements, Xanthea Limberg, said the development was part of efforts to improve living conditions for Tambo Square residents who are currently said to still be using the bucket system toilets while the Section Four dwellers enjoy flush toilets.
