Crime-fighters in Delft will meet this morning to plan the way forward to tackle land invaders after a community centre was vandalised on Tuesday afternoon.
The Hague Recreation Centre along Delft Main Road came under attack after the City of Cape Town’s Anti-Land Invasion team cracked down on the illegal occupation of land nearby.
Videos on social media show a group of young men throwing stones at vehicles in the parking lot and setting one on fire.
Police prevented firefighters from entering the area as it had become too volatile.
The men are seen smashing the windows of cars and stealing from them.
They also broke the metal gates and tried to get into the recreation centre but failed.
Mayco member for Community Services Zahid Badroodien says protesters broke the entrance gate to the council offices parking lot where they started a fire and burnt a Human Settlements vehicle and the garage door of the Recreation Centre’s store room.
“Windows have been broken, fencing vandalised and the Recreation and Parks wooden garage door burned. Fortunately, no injuries to staff on site were reported.”
Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Charles George says during a briefing with SAPS they were informed that one man had been arrested and charged for public violence.
“Law Enforcement also arrested some suspects but they were underage and this is the problem we are facing, that youngsters are being used," George says.
“The area has been volatile for some time and we condemn the damage to public infrastructure.
“On Thursday (today) we have a meeting with police, ward councillors and community organisations where our message is clear: the community cannot stand by and watch as people destroy all the facilities in Delft.”