RESIDENTS whose shacks were destroyed by the anti-land invasion unit directed their anger at their councillor and at cops.
Police vans were smashed and the councillor’s office was burnt on Sunday at Endlovini in Harare, Khayelitsha.
“All the important information about my branch was destroyed.
‘They destroyed the printer, office furniture and computers. The bicycles that I bought for patrollers were also stolen,” said Councillor Anele Gabuza.
He said his car was almost set alight but cops arrived in time to save it.
The councillor said he now lives in fear that his property may be attacked again.
“They pelted my house with stones and broke the windows. I don’t understand why they would attack me over the issue of land,” said Gabuza.
The councillor said last week he spoke to residents demanding land to rebuild their shacks.
“I met and I was honest with them – I don’t have land. I told them the land belongs to the City of Cape Town but they still attacked me. What am I supposed to do?” he said.
Some of the residents who attacked him demanded to be part of the housing project taking place in Monwabisi Park.
Gabuza said 6 000 homes are being built but some of the people who are demanding houses are not beneficiaries.
One resident who spoke to Daily Sun said: “We want the councillor to give us land. We are tired of rebuilding shacks all the time. The anti-land invasion unit always destroys our shacks.”
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andre Traut said police are monitoring the situation in Harare, Khayelitsha, following the land invasion dispute.
“Buildings have been set alight and vehicles have been stoned. Police members have been sent in to maintain law and order,” he said.
Anda Ntsodo, mayoral committee member for community services, condemned residents’ acts of violence.
“People must not resort to violence to solve issues. The people whose shacks were demolished were living on land serviced by the City for houses.
“The City will build roads on that land in November,” said Ntsodo.
He said people who occupy land illegaly are anti-development and are holding up service delivery.
