ANC wants DA to publicly say where it stands
The ANC Western Cape is extremely concerned about the breakup of social cohesion and the rising tensions working negatively against nation building on the resettlement of homeless people displaced at the Nomzamo informal settlement in Lwandle near Strand.
It is especially alarming that none of the DA leaders went to the side of the Lwandle evictees, but were quick to run to Blackheath to protest the possible relocation of evictees there - as was done by DA mayor of Cape Town Patricia de Lille.
ANC Western Cape leader Marius Fransman says: "There are a large number of poor people who have to content with harsh economic realities. Now they also have to face geographical dislodgment too.
"These include serious considerations like placement of children into new schools (which are already under pressure due to high numbers in classes), new school uniforms that have to be bought, extra transport costs and the possibility of losing jobs by many when moving 20 km or more further away from their work place.
"These and other new challenges in an unfamiliar environment where they are moved to are matters that plunges these residents into a crisis of existence and survival. This is not understood by the DA that is clear in its intent to merely protect the privilege and patronage of its white and rich core base."
The ANC also questions the DA's role and commitment in the city and province to bring communities and people together. In the light of the vilification of people from the Eastern Cape as incomers and refugees (the latter a term used by DA leader Helen Zille) it has become urgent for the DA to put its cards on the table with the public.
"The DA has repeatedly played the ‘swartgevaar' (black threat) card to alienate Africans and muster support for petty party political gains amongst coloured residents. The DA must now come and say where it stands. The DA and its leaders must show through their actions that they indeed support nation building and social cohesion in practical ways when people like those in Lwandle are uprooted and heartlessly treated.
"All people of the Western Cape demand that the DA clarify its position. Thus far the DA is seen as being against and not caring about the poor. It is a shame that people who voted for the DA in Blackheath only got attention and a visit by De Lille when a crisis arose there. Instead of dealing with the issues of the backyarders (people living in a makeshift home in the backyard of an existing home) in Blackheath and of homeless people like those in Lwandle together, the DA now plays the two groups off against each other. This is done while both groups are grossly neglected," Fransman adds.
The ANC says the DA should stop pitting poor people against each other.
"We cannot allow De Lille to set poor people up to fight over limited resources. Cape Town knew for many years of these problems in Blackheath and Lwandle, but did not deal sufficiently with it. The ANC calls on both communities not to allow anyone to divide them along racial lines, as they are all black - coloured and African. The ANC calls on both the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape provincial government to work together to find amicable solutions that would benefit both communities and to support both groups of residents. The ANC calls on both communities to stay calm - both backyarders and homeless - as they are all in the same boat and in need of land or space to live," Fransman concluded.
Statement issued by ANC Western Cape leader, Marius Fransman, June 11 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
