The #TotalShutdown of the Cape started out peacefully, until all hell broke loose in Bonteheuwel when police fired stun grenades and teargas at the protesting residents.
The action by mense in Kensington, Philippi, Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park and Bellville started at 5am and people braced for the early morning chill, placards in hand, calling on authorities to clamp down on gang violence and the drug trade.
Police said a total of eight people were arrested in Bonteheuwel, including one of the protest organisers, Henrietta Abrahams.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said they expected major disruptions since organisers claimed they had the support to shut down the province.
However, by 8am, Law Enforcement officials only counted between 300-350 protesters across the city, excluding Kensington and Factreton, he said.
In Hanover Park, about 50 residents closed down major intersections and entrances into the area at Lansdowne and Surran roads.
Children were standing in the roads with placards reading, “An innocent life taken, is a community losing a future leader” and “The justice system is failing our communities”.
One motorist, driving a red Opel Corsa hatchback, refused to be blocked and drove through a blockade, nearly knocking down four people, who managed to get out of his way.
Residents then swarmed his car and smashed out the driver’s rear windscreen.
The man managed to drive away.
Ottery Road in Philippi was reopened by 9am after residents dispersed peacefully.
In Bonteheuwel, chaos ensued after residents tried to get onto Jakes Gerwel Drive, a major artery linking the Cape Flats to the northern suburbs.
Abrahams, an organiser of the Western Cape Total Shutdown Communities’ group, was arrested along with seven others.
Abrahams was manhandled by Public Order Police officials and shoved into a police van.
CHAOS: Protest organiser Henrietta Abrahams was manhandled and arrested by cops in Bontas.
Stun grenades, teargas and a water cannon were used to
disperse the crowd.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirms: “In Bonteheuwel on the corner of Bluegum Road and Jakes Gerwel Drive, eight people were arrested for public violence following run-ins with police that resulted in the disruption of traffic.”
Organiser Gato Wanza said seven of the eight were expected to be released by last night.
“The processing for their release, including Henrietta’s, is being done now,” he said late yesterday afternoon.
“One person, however, an 18-year-old male, will be kept and charged with public violence.
“He will be appearing at Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court, that is what I know,” he said.
Wanza said things got ugly when protesters wanted to shut down Jakes Gerwel Drive.
“Police did not want us to disrupt traffic on Jakes Gerwel Drive. What is the use of protesting if we cannot get the message across?” he said.
Wanza believes the day was a success, “as more and more communities are uniting. We are starting to work on our own solutions to our problems”.
DA Western Cape leader Bonginkosi Madikizela says while people have a right to protest, they are not allowed to destroy public property.
He says violent protest action have far-reaching economic effects.
“Protests do have a negative impact on our economy. Property vandalism leads to monies being redirected to the vandalised properties and not directed to the initial department it had to go to.
“Investors will not visit areas perceived or believed to be dangerous,” he said.
With regards to the issue of policing, he said: “Provincial government has no mandate on policing.
“We know police do not have the resources and we have been highlighting the need for police in our province.
“In the meantime, we have asked for the army to be deployed to stabilise the situation.”
Today, Police Minister Bheki Cele will be having a meeting with stakeholders at the multi-purpose Centre in Camelia Street in Bonteheuwel at 1pm.