Statement by the City’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille
Mayor De Lille condemns spate of public violence in the city
The City of Cape Town condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence
that has been experienced throughout the city this morning. Today’s attacks
on public transport infrastructure are clearly well-orchestrated and driven by
the desire to make the city ungovernable. There is simply no justification for
such levels of public violence. The City will continue to work closely with the
South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies to
ensure that we contain the violence as far as possible, and critically, to
ensure that those responsible are arrested and convicted for their criminal
actions.
Up to now, disruptions have included:
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Two buses set alight at the Nyanga terminus
Four buses set alight along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi
Sporadic stoning incidents in Nyanga and Philippi
Tyres set alight at the intersection of Vanguard Drive and Oliver Tambo
Drive
Traffic disruptions at various spots along the N2 highway
The assault of 11 Golden Arrow Bus Services bus drivers
Reports from the ground make it unclear what the exact reason for today’s
violence has been. However, it is clear from the fact that these were well
planned and simultaneous attacks that the action is politically motivated,
and is the continuation of the sustained campaign to make the city
ungovernable ahead of the 2016 local government elections.
I would therefore challenge the ANC, COSATU and Ses’Khona to publically
condemn today’s violence. If they remain silent, then it will be yet more proof
that they condone these efforts to make Cape Town ungovernable.
Ultimately those who suffer the most from today’s violence are poorer
communities as residents from these areas struggle to get to work. The City
has also been forced to temporarily withdraw staff from certain areas, as a
result of the threat of violence. This further compounds the negative effect on
poor and vulnerable communities.
The City will continue to monitor the situation closely and do everything
possible within our limited policing mandate to help contain the situation, in
conjunction with the SAPS.