Chaos erupted in the Cape Town CBD on Thursday. Marchers descended on the city centre in an illegal show of support for expelled ANC member Loyiso Nkohla and also voiced their anger over ineffective service delivery. Police used water canons and stun grenades on marchers, forcing the crowds to disperse. But people around the city have become familiar with the mounting protest action. RA’EESA PATHER reports.
Shaheeda Idrees, Parkwood
Us Coloured people were born here in the Cape, and we have been waiting 10, 20 years for a house. They come from the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal and make the Cape deurmekaar. They strike for everything, but we don’t do it. They are not right to protest for houses. What about us who have been waiting 30 years on the waiting list? They come from the Eastern Cape, but we’re born her. I can’t get a job, my husband’s disabled. Where’s my chance? They come from Eastern Cape and they put a shack up, and tomorrow they get a house. What about us?
Nkosiphendulo Memani, Nyanga
We are coming to march because of what Helen Zille is doing. There by us, they put meters on the water. We only get 20 litres, and what must we do with that? It’s not enough. The police are overreacting. If you say something, they arrest you. You didn’t do anything, but they arrest you.
Lee, Wynberg
The protest is good thing, but then one should be wary of the opportunists involved and using this protest to reach their own goals. The police have been containing the protest quite well, but initially it was a bit wobbly and they were chasing people in the centre, which could lead to more violent protests. I think they are entitled to their protest. I mean, if your living conditions are bad then things must get done. Loyiso Nkohla and Andile Lili? Well, I think they’re part of those opportunistic guys.
Name withheld, Khayelitsha
I think these people should be given permission to go to Premier Helen Zille and talk to her. I mean, it is their right to talk to their Premier. Yes, these people will support Loyiso because of his court case, but now they are being stopped by the police. I do believe the protest is right, because in South Africa’s constitution we have the right to do this kind of strike if we want to. The police and protestors… it’s a lack of information because if maybe the protestors were allowed to be legal then maybe they will be given a chance to go to wherever they want to, but now it was illegal.
Omar Alexander, CBD vendor, Tafelsig
For what they do, it’s right. They [the government] are supposed to make the people happy. I mean, their grandfathers are still sitting without houses. It’s not nice. If they see they haven’t got enough, then they must come to government and let them assist.
But the police moet hulle wys (must show them). They must bring order. I mean if it’s not legal, then it’s not legal. There are reasons for everything. I think of myself yesterday. The bus is supposed to come every 10 minutes, and I waited almost an hour. How then must people feel with the promises for years and seeing their grandfathers still without houses? It’s not nice.
Mzuvukile Sapheha, Khayelitsha
Ah, it’s bad, but the police are making it better because they are chasing people from the station. I really don’t know what is happening anymore because I don’t know which one’s for that strike or this strike, because there’s too many strikes. Another person comes for jobs, another for houses, so I don’t know. This person is coming to complain about his issue, but he’s forcing it and damaging it for other people. He’s damaging other businesses. If you want something you are supposed to strike. But I don’t like strikes anymore. If I want something, I will vote. I don’t want strikes.
