Dunoon protest for services turns violent

Police are investigating two cases of public violence after protests erupted along Malibongwe Drive in Dunoon at the weekend.

Provincial police spokesman Captain FC Van Wyk said although no arrests were made, Public Order Police were called to the scene to monitor the volatile situation on Saturday, March 15.

He said the community burned tyres and hurled rocks at cars travelling along Malibongwe Drive. 

“We believe that the protests were a result of the lack of service delivery including the lack of water, toilets, and electricity,” said Captain Van Wyk.

A Dunoon community activist, who did not want to be named, fearing that he would be arrested by police, said residents have “had enough,” and that their demands for running water, electricity supply, and ablution facilities have fallen on deaf ears. They believe that they will only get answers from the authorities if they protest.

However, he said the intention is not for any protests to turn violent or to cause any harm.

He said initially on Saturday, a group of people met at Malibongwe Drive to discuss the issues they were facing but as the crowd became larger, what was intended to be a peaceful situation turned violent.

“This was bound to happen because the talks sparked an anger that the residents have been facing for a long time now, it's been coming,” he said.

Asked if they had a list of demands or handed over a memorandum, he said: “We have done this all the years with the same information, asking for the same basic services and nothing is done, so I don't think another (list of demands) would help the situation.” 

Dunoon’s ward councillor Thando Dedezana said Dunoon is a forgotten suburb, and not at the top of anybody's priority list.

He believes that Dunoon residents are suffering, and their call for help is being ignored which resulted in the protests.

“On Saturday, I called on the community leaders to ask them to ease the situation which was an enormous task, but on the other hand I understand the communities’ frustration. But that doesn’t mean they need to be violent,” added Mr Dedezana.

The City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said firefighters from Goodwood and Milnerton were dispatched to the scene to put out the fires made from rubbish and tyres that had been set alight.

However, a fire engine from Milnerton was stoned and then had to leave the scene, he said.

Later, firefighters returned and were escorted by police and law enforcement “for protection,” while they extinguished the fires, and cleared the road.

“No injuries nor any fatalities were reported,” said Mr Carelse.

The City’s acting Mayoral committee member for human settlements, Siseko Mbandezi said the City is aware of the protest that took place on Saturday, March 15.

He added that the City has an open-door policy and that members of the community are encouraged to approach the City in good faith, in a peaceful and constructive manner.

“The City offers services where possible in terms of available budget and planned service delivery programmes on informal settlements on City-owned land and where the City has the permission of the landowner – some of the land that has been illegally occupied is not suitable for human habitation, such as on wetlands that hold high flooding risks, therefore, it would often not be able to provide services such as underground water, electricity. Where it can, the City rolls out water and sanitation and electrical services as well as rubbish collection in these areas,” said Mr Mbandezi.