Lwandle Evictions - Sanral and Minister Peters must take responsibility

03 June 2014

Attempts by the ANC to scapegoat the forced eviction of people from the Lwandle informal settlement in Strand, Cape Town, by blaming the DA is nothing short of cheap and petty politicking. It is entirely disingenuous and in no way accurate.

Yesterday, SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), a national state entity, through the Sheriff of the Court enforced an interdict against people occupying land owned by it.

Responsibility for the evictions squarely lies with Sanral and the national Department of Transport. Indeed, it is nationally owned land and they sought the court interdict themselves.

Worse yet Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, is nowhere to be seen during this debacle and her department remains silent on the issue.  

As a state national agency, enjoined to protect the rights, interests and needs of South Africa's people, both Sanral and the Department must answer for their unwillingness to take reasonable steps to ensure that the eviction occurs in manner that does not rob people of their security and dignity. 

As such, the ANC would do well to familiarise themselves with the facts of this issue and redirect their condemnation to the national government - which they have just been elected to govern.

Statement issued by Phumzile Van Damme MP, DA National Spokesperson, June 3 2014

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