Pictures by Nkhensani Hlongwane
Story by Staff Reporter
24/05/2016
An operation to demolish shacks that were erected illegally at Skampaneng in Hammanskraal has led to two service providers killed, six more injured and several vehicles burned.
A case of murder and malicious damage to property is being investigated by the police.
City Mayor, Mr Kgosientso Ramokgopa, said violence has no place in society, “it is a sad day indeed that we are witnessing loss of lives by our own brothers. “Families are being robbed of fathers, brothers, and sons because of extremist desperate on breaking the law and destroying everything in their paths”.
The violence took place during an operation to carry out a court order issued against the community to demolish the illegally erected shacks. When a few structures were demolished, members of the public started attacking the service providers throwing stones and petrol bombs forcing the police and the service provider to withdraw.
The police appealed to members of the public who might have any information regarding this matter to please contact the nearest police station or call 012 358 7095/6.
The Executive Mayor of Tshwane Cllr Kgosientso Ramokgopa said he is deeply concerned about the situation in Hammanskiraal. “We remain deeply concerned by the acts of violence, displacements, confrontations, loss of property and gross disregard as well as violation of human rights every time evictions take place. “Our experience is that evictions leave behind a trail of pain, which could be avoided and minimized, as we treated even those of our ungovernable citizens with respect rather than a sense of punishment.
“We need to reinforce and make into a habit, the recent agreement between the department of cooperative governance and the service providers’ management to work together to be sensitive to interests of the vulnerable groups during evictions as well as to minimize unnecessary confrontations,” said Mayor Ramokgopa.
He said the City believes that the situation can be made much more humane by ensuring that eviction notices are clear, with clearer instructions informing residents how to comply, encourage and advice residents, including the vulnerable citizens, to seek alternative accommodation in time, protect their valuable properties or simply vacate the properties.
“We remain concerned by actions and utterances some political parties mobilizing the vulnerable groups to defy court orders resulting in resistance and violence, and want to make it clear that we do not accept illegal occupations of land and properties. We therefore call on our communities to work with us.
“Our intention is to discourage violence while also taking care of the vulnerable groups,” he said.
Spokesperson for the City Mr Blessing Manale, said the Mayor has called upon the Metro Police to exercise the law enforcement responsibilities and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
“We regret the inconvenience, pain and the unfortunate loss of lives caused by the disruptions and illegal protest and commit to continue to improve our public order policing in cooperation with the South African Police Services, and the Fire department to ensure that in future the appropriate rapid response is activated to minimize damage to property, injury and further loss of life,” Mr Manale said.
The city sent condolences to all the families who were robbed of their loved ones during the violence.