Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign

Arrests made as violent protests erupt over dismantling of newly-erected shacks

MACASSAR Village housing protesters burnt tyres and stoned the police, who then fired on them with rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, arresting four people, including a University of the Western Cape professor, for public violence.

The informal residents had illegally cleared a piece of land alongside the N2 owned by the City of Cape Town and erected structures vowing not to move from the area.

The protest turned ugly yesterday, resulting in the arrest, and subsequent release of Professor Martin Legassick, along with three other men.

Furious backyard dwellers said they were fed up with the government’s promises of housing, and were tired of paying “exorbitant” rentals. Read the rest of this entry »