ETHEKWINI’s Metro Police and Disaster Management Unit together with Operation Sukuma Sakhe Rapid Response officials attended to protest action by informal settlement residents in Ward 29 on Sunday morning.
Residents were protesting the recent demolition of informal dwelling in the area. In a media statement on Monday, the municipality said it would egage with ward concillor elect, Mveli Mthembu in an attempt to address the concerns raised by the protesters.
Mayor James Nxumalo said eradicating illegal structures required joint effort by all stakeholders. He encouraged the public to report any land invasions to the city’s Security Management Unit on 031 311 4699 or 079 821 8879 to report land invasion.
The unit can also be contacted on (031)311 4220, (031)3114083, (031)3114024 (during working hours) or (031)3114702, (031)3114667, (031)3114669, (031)3114701 (after hours or on weekends).
Nxumalo said he acknowledged that people were free to exercise their constitutional rights by voicing their concerns but cautioned residents against injuring others and vandalising infrastructure.
“Residents should express their concerns in a peaceful and legally permissible manner without damaging property, injuring law-abiding citizens or blockading roads, thus preventing others from going to school and work,” he said.
He said no amount of anger justified destruction or vandalisation of state property.
Currently, the situation is under control. Safety measures, such as CCTV cameras, have been put in place to monitor the movements of vehicles and to ensure that further traffic disruption is minimised. Law enforcement personnel will take necessary action where there are transgressions.
“EThekwini Municipality is deeply concerned about the violent public protests taking place in the City. We encourage those that have grievances to continue to engage with the municipality through formal channels so that these can be attended to by the municipality,” he said.
