Tshwane condemns destruction of property in Refilwe
The City of Tshwane has condemned the destruction of a
municipal building and the torching of municipal vehicles by protestors in
Refilwe informal settlement in Cullinan.
Protestors went on a rampage after the Red Ants and Tshwane Metro Police destroyed structures and evicted people from the private land.
City of Tshwane Spokesperson Selby Bokaba says the community was occupying the land illegally.
“The people were occupying the land illegally and the land evasion unit went there to demolish the structures that have been illegally erected,” he said.
Bokaba said the community has been given notice of the intended eviction as part of the process by the city to formalise informal settlements.
“We have embarked on a process to formalise informal settlements so we can provide our communities to be able to provide them with basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity,” he said.
SAPS spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo says police will monitor the protest, which was calm Friday morning.
Edited by Sune du Toit