Grabouw tense as N2 re-opens
Violence erupted early in the week when several thousand residents invaded an area in Grabouw next to the N2.
|||Cape Town - Firm action by local, provincial and national government to re-open the N2 highway and to remove thousands of illegal structures set up by land invaders has been hailed as a victory for co-operative governance and the restoration of law and order in the Overberg town of Grabouw.
On Friday the atmosphere was tense after several days of conflict, but no incidents were reported.
The Public Works department confirmed it had a restraining order in respect of any further invasions and said it would seek eviction orders for the remaining structures as it had a court date.
The decision by authorities to act followed the illegal erection of more than 2 000 informal structures on land belonging to Public Works, the barricading of the N2 and the stoning of vehicles and the torching of the local traffic department.
The violence erupted early on Tuesday when several thousand residents invaded an area in Grabouw next to the N2. In the standoff that followed between land invaders, Public Works and law enforcement officials and vehicles were stoned and the road was closed.
On Thursday, after meeting provincial and local authorities, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi appealed for calm and called on people to halt the violence and described steps to address the crisis.
He said he had called a
meeting with the provincial MEC for human settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela and the mayor of Theewaters-kloof municipality, Chris Punt, at which they jointly acknowledged the need for land for housing, but agreed the illegal invasion of land could not be condoned. The minister said the housing crisis had been the trigger for the land invasion.
There were plans for follow-up meetings with all affected stakeholders “to thrash out a clear and long-term solution to the impasse”.
Stan Wallace, municipal manager for Theewaterskloof, said yesterday although the situation was still tense, “there is now a sense of relief among the people in the various communities of Grabouw”.
He said about two weeks before the invasion the municipality had had indications it was likely to happen.
He hailed the role played by Public Works and the three tiers of governance.
“It was decided right at the start that this operation would be managed by Public Works and our experience over these last few days, which has really been very traumatic, is that it is a reflection of the success that can result when all spheres of government work together to confront and deal with a crisis.”
Wallace confirmed 2 100 unoccupied structures had been removed and the department would now approach the courts to obtain the necessary eviction orders for the people occupying the 300 remaining structures.
The municipality had received strong support from many of the town’s residents, specifically many indigent residents. The municipality considered these long-term residents a priority and was working to address their needs, which included housing, health, education and jobs.
“We will remain vigilant this weekend and we will be going to the communities to thank them for the support they have shown during this very traumatic time.”
The police confirmed 22 arrests during the conflict. Several of those held were charged with public violence and incitement to violence.
Weekend Argus
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