25 February 2011
MEC for Human Settlement in the Western Cape is set to come and demolish more brick houses in Mandela Park between Monday and Tuesday next week. The news were leaked to us by a supervisor on site after a secret meeting with the MEC that was to address the resuscitation of housing construction in Mandela Park.
We vow to stay away from work and protest during these two days in preparation of what we perceive as housing warfare between state and its community.The 2 recent government projects named “823” and “497” were completed in 2008 despite delays due to money laundering and corruption by government and party officials. The claimed continuation of the current housing projects in Mandela Park is the MEC’s gimmick to lobby voters for the coming local municipality elections. There is a huge maladministration and poor conduct in the current housing construction and the police are used to distabilise & arrest any one trying to expose the corruption.
As backyarders we view the destruction of our houses as act of desperation by the City of Cape Town to maintain political hegemony.
The sad memories of what happened in Zimbabwe will soon be happening in the City of Cape Town, where the legacy of apartheid and inequality is sustained.
We call all civil organisations, journalists and supporters to come and witness the destruction of our homes and life savings in Mandela Park on Monday 28th of February or Tuesday the 1st of March (call us to confirm the day).
We also want to remind journalists that the DA branch chairperson, Mr. Molly Mxolisi will be appearing in Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on the 1st of March for attempted murder of Backyarder member. As we have shown in the past, this case involves illegal interference by MEC for housing Bonginkosi Madikizela in the judicial process.
It is possible that the planned destruction of houses by the MEC is linked with his efforts of trying to divert attention from Mr. Molly’s attempt murder case which is taking place on Tuesday. According to the prosecutor in charge, Mr. Molly Mxolisi is likely to have some charges reinstated (after Madikizela had the charge sheet changed to common assault).
We forward this invitation to all journalists, civil organisations and supporters to come and witness one of the most brutal Ministers for Housing in post-1994 South Africa.
For more information and directions to the housing demolition contact:
Slu: 0736200781 Khaya: 0780241683
The Mandela Park Backyarders 