City accused of harassing Hangberg community

HOUT Bay activists have accused the City of using law enforcement officers to intimidate and instil fear in Hangberg residents.

They said the City deployed law enforcement officials to threaten residents to demolish their structures while wasting resources that could be used to help other communities.

This after about 20 vehicles including Casspirs and trucks were deployed to the area on Wednesday and officers removed a fence around a structure.

Community leaders, Jeffery Jonkers and (chief) Reagan James were arrested and charged with public violence.

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said two men, aged 32 and 36, were expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court once charged.

Activist Roscoe Jacobs said the victimisation of residents started in 2010 and still continued.

“The City must make available land in Hout Bay Valley for integrated human settlements as there is enough land. We have a crisis in our community yet the City fails to address these challenges and the community houses itself ,” he said.

City spokesperson Luthando Thyalibhongo said the City’s Law Enforcement Department acted on an illegal land occupation complaint.

He said four vehicles were deployed to transport staff to the site and that building material was found lying around at an excavation site.

Another activist Lee Smith said there were instances where residents’ structures were demolished while they were inside. “People have been trying to house themselves because there has been a lack of housing in the area for decades.”