Residents of Hangberg have slammed the City of Cape Town for victimising vulnerable people after Law Enforcement officials demolished the home of a disabled pensioner.
The man’s hokkie in Salamander Way was thrown down on Wednesday night by the Anti Land Invasion Unit.
Angry residents clashed with law enforcement officers as they protested against the eviction.
The City said officers fired rubber bullets into the crowd after shots were fired at City staff.
Community activist Roscoe Jacobs said the elderly man’s structure had burnt down and was rebuilt after he received no assistance from the City.
Activist Jeffrey Jonkers, who was also on the scene told the Daily Voice: “Where must the old man go now? He was rebuilding his home which had burned a while ago.
“Informal or not, that is his home and it is not fair that he had to suffer yet another loss.
“People do not choose living under these circumstances, there’s poverty, and unemployment has hit many of us hence the growth of informal structures.
“All they say is ‘there’s a court order’, what about our lives?
“They started shooting at us as we approached to question them.
“It was bad, we are lucky no one got hurt.
“The rubber bullets slightly touched me both on my face and at the back.”
Jerome Allan, from the Hangberg Neighbourhood Watch, said the man is staying with a neighbour for now.
Mayco member for Human Settlements, Malusi Booi, says the City received a complaint via its public emergency number about a structure that was being erected.
“The City dismantled the new incomplete and unoccupied structure in terms of the court order the City has in place to protect this space.
“The City does not have any knowledge of any structure which burned down in that specific location.”
Law Enforcement spokesman Wayne Dyason said officers retaliated after City staff came under attack
“Stones were pelted at staff members, and live rounds were fired.
“The windscreen of a City truck was damaged, and a case of malicious damage to property was registered.”