Public asked to come forward with information on violent protests

Public asked to come forward with information on violent protests, as third  person tragically dies

The City of Cape Town calls on any member of the public with information about the series of violent protests of recent days, to come forward. A R50 000 reward for information has already been offered.

“By early this morning, the City was aware of three people who had passed away as a result of these violent protests. Last night 30 year-old Xolela Poncho died after his truck was stoned by protesters and he drove into a barricade near the N2/Mew Way intersection. Golden Arrow bus driver Sandile Hoko passed away after the bus he was driving on Friday 3 August was stoned and the bus crashed into a number of houses. Daniel Sass who was in one of the houses at the time of the accident passed away on Monday 6 August 2012 from injuries sustained.    

“This senseless loss of life is unacceptable and on behalf of the City of Cape Town I again convey my condolences to the families. They are in our thoughts and the City will do everything in its power to assist the South African Police Services in identifying and prosecuting the individuals responsible”, said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.

Protests have already caused over R5 million worth of damage to infrastructure, while valuable law enforcement resources are diverted away from their normal duties to concentrate on dealing with illegal protests. A further R600 000 has already been spent in overtime budgets for law enforcement,” said Alderman Smith.

“We welcome any information that will help in the successful prosecution of those people who are responsible for these deaths, the destruction of property, or who make themselves guilty of instigating or participating in public violence,” said Alderman Smith.

The City of Cape Town like any major city in South Africa has to contend with increasing levels of urbanisation, as well as historical service delivery backlogs as a result of our Apartheid past. However, unlike many other metros, Cape Town  has high levels of service-delivery, with the lowest number of people not receiving basic services.

The City is resolute in its commitment to building a Caring and Inclusive City serving all the people of Cape Town.  It will not hesitate to use all legal means at its disposal to act against thugs and criminals who are intent on disrespecting the democratic will of the majority.

·         Anyone with information about illegal activity can contact either Alderman JP Smith on 021 400 1311/ jean-pierre.smith@capetown.gov.za or Executive Director for Safety and Security Richard Bosman on 021 400 3355/ richard.bosman@capetown.gov.za   

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Issued by:  Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department,  City of Cape Town

Stormy weather

CITY OF CAPE TOWN

10 AUGUST 2012

MEDIA RELEASE

City’s Disaster Response teams on high alert following series of weather warnings

The City of Cape Town’s City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre, together with its supporting disaster response agencies and public safety authorities, are on high alert following warnings of inclement weather this weekend.

The minor cold front to the west of Cape Town yesterday 9 August 2012 has now strengthened and grown into a larger lower frontal system. The weather forecast indicates heavy rainfall peaking at 100% on Saturday 11 August and 90% on Sunday 12 August; with persistent high rainfall next week across the Cape Peninsula along with associated north-westerly winds reaching 60 km/h.

The South African Weather Service has issued the following weather warnings:

·         Gale-force westerly/north-westerly winds (35 knots or 65 km/hour) are expected between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas overnight on Friday, spreading to Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay on Saturday.

·         Gale-force westerly/north-westerly winds (35 knots or 65 km/hour) are expected over the interior of the Western Cape and western interior of the Northern Cape on Saturday.

·         Very rough seas (with waves of 4 – 6 metres) south of Cape Columbine overnight (Friday into Saturday) reaching high seas (6 – 9 metres) south of Lamberts Bay by Saturday afternoon subsiding on Sunday night.

·         Heavy falls of rain are expected in the West Coast District, Cape Metropole, Cape Winelands and Overberg Districts on Saturday.

·         Snowfalls are expected on the western high-ground of the Western Cape on Saturday morning, spreading to the east and southern high-ground of the Northern Cape during the afternoon.

·         Very cold, wet and windy conditions to set in over the Western Cape and parts of the Northern Cape overnight tonight (Friday) persisting through to Saturday.

In addition, a watch was issued for very cold conditions persisting on the high-ground of the Western Cape and western high-ground of the Northern Cape on Sunday.

The City appeals to all Capetonians to please exercise extreme caution during these weather conditions and to heed the following advisories:

·         Slow down and maintain safe following distances on all roadways.

·         Dress warmly if you are out in the cold to protect yourself against the elements.

·         If sick, especially with influenza (flu), consult your local clinic, hospital or private medical practitioner for medical attention.

·         Keep a watchful eye on open flames and extinguish them before going to bed (including candles, lamps and paraffin stoves).

It is likely that the expected heavy rainfall will cause localised flooding across the Cape Peninsula. This may be exacerbated by the fact that the water-table in the Cape Flats is already very high as a result of recent rains.

The South African Weather Service will keep the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre informed regarding weather conditions, and further advice will be made available if and when required.

Residents are reminded to use the 107 number in the event of an emergency so that the nearest relevant emergency service provider can be dispatched. Dial 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone. The sooner you phone, the sooner help will arrive.

Flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions can be reported to the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 0860 103 089. Enquiries and/or complaints regarding burst and leaking water mains, faulty and leaking water meters, blocked and overflowing sewers can also be sent via SMS to 31373.  Enquiries and/or complaints regarding electricity fault reporting can be sent via SMS to 31220.

The City’s Transport Information Centre can be contacted on 0800 65 64 63 regarding delays on roadways and deviations.

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Issued by: Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration and Special Projects and Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town, Tel: 080 911 4357 or Cell: 084 711 7709

Alderman J.P. Smith, Mayoral Committee Member: Safety and Security, City of Cape Town, Tel: 021 400 1311 or Cell: 083 675 3780

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER OF THE WESTERN CAPE, HELEN ZILLE, AND THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF CAPE TOWN, ALDERMAN PATRICA DE LILLE

Premier Zille and Mayor De Lille lay charges against ANCYL

This afternoon, Premier Helen Zille and Mayor Patricia de Lille formally laid criminal complaints against the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), the African National Congress, the African National Congress Women’s League, the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations in relation to offences that have been committed, as outlined in the Intimidation Act of 1982.

On Friday 27 July 2012, a memorandum issued by the ANCYL (Dullah Omar Region) was delivered to the Office of the Premier on behalf of the five organisations mentioned above. The memorandum contains, amongst other things, the following threat on the fifth page: “We demand that the abovementioned demands be positively responded to within 7 working days. Failure to do so the young people and the abovementioned stakeholders will make this city and province ungovernable! Amandla!”

This threat comes against the backdrop of a number of violent service delivery protests that have taken place in the city in recent days. It is already clear that there is an element of political stoking involved and there is mounting evidence that these protests are being coordinated and controlled.

Just this morning Mayor De Lille viewed video footage of a protest that took place in the early hours of Monday morning on the corner of Landsdowne Road and Duinefontein Road, near Sweet Homes Farm. The footage clearly shows how the actions of protestors are being carefully marshalled and controlled by certain identifiable individuals.

Mayor De Lille will bring this footage to the attention of the Provincial South African Police Services (SAPS) Commissioner, General Lamoer, when she meets with him on Friday this week. She will further use the occasion to strengthen cooperation between the SAPS and the City, with a view to identifying the individuals and/or organisations behind this conduct.

The complaint notes that the conduct by the five organisations, namely the issuing of a public threat to make the City of Cape Town and Province of the Western Cape ungovernable, constitutes offences under Sections 1(1) and 1A (1) of the Act.

Premier Zille and Mayor De Lille have therefore requested that a criminal investigation be instituted into the statements of the organisations and their members who have issued this public threat to the governability of the city and province, thereby endangering public assets and the fundamental rights of the province’s residents to life, security, trade and property.

With this recent threat, the ANCYL has exposed itself and its affiliates as being willing and unashamed to use public violence to make the city and Western Cape ungovernable. We cannot allow such thuggery to go unchallenged in a context where we are trying to build a constitutional democracy based on norms of public order and respect for rule of law. The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government will not allow the fundamental rights of law-abiding citizens to be threatened in this manner.  

As part of our efforts to uphold the law, last week the City also formally requested that the National Director of Public Prosecutions review the decision not to prosecute ANC Councillor Andile Lili for his role in the malicious damage to property in Makhaza on 24 May 2010.

As part of the review request, the City has provided video and other evidence of Councillor Lili destroying City-provided toilets with a crowbar. If this review request is turned down, the City will consider taking the matter on review to the High Court.

The Province and the City will not stand by idly while organisations and individuals actively break the law. We are determined to improve the lives of all citizens, most especially the poor and most vulnerable, whilst at all times ensuring that the rights of law-abiding citizens are protected and upheld.