'Comrades part of riots'

A Cape Town ANC Youth League member has conceded that disgruntled league members might be involved in the violent protests that have rocked the city.

The league's secretary in the Dullah Omar region, Mfuzo Zenzile, said Premier Helen Zille and mayor Patricia de Lille's failure to respond to the league's demands might have provoked league members to action.

"Since we were not answered by Zille and De Lille, we've taken our programme to the youth league branches. Zille's silence might have provoked some comrades," said Zenzile.

Yesterday, traffic along the busy N2 highway passing Khayelitsha came to a standstill as protesters tried to block the road into Cape Town. Metro police forced them back with rubber bullets.

Philippi protesters also failed to block Vangaurd Drive from Mitchells Plain.

In Khayelitsha, a small section of Lansdowne Road passing an informal settlement was barricaded by protesters who warned journalists that they would not be safe if they passed the barricades.

Resident Simphiwe Bolosha said people were angry at their local ANC councillor because promises made to them last year had failed to materialise.

A delivery truck driver who unknowingly drove into the path of protesters in Lansdowne Road was lucky to escape with only scratches as youngsters hurled rocks at the vehicle, severely injuring a passenger's arm.

Zille and De Lille have insisted that the protests are politically motivated by the ANC Youth League and have lodged a complaint with the police after threats that the city would be made "ungovernable" were made following a march three weeks ago.

But Zenzile said there have been protests in Cape Town since January.

"The people who have been protesting might be members of the league. Some of them were arrested earlier and when they were released went back to the streets to protest," said Zenzile.

The city's mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the protests were political, and in some instances aimed at ANC councillors.

ANC provincial secretary Songezo Mjongile said: "These protests are anarchic. If people want to protest they should protest in the city centre. We are not benefiting politically from this."

Police arrested 62 people for violence on Friday and 10 were arrested in Khayelitsha yesterday.