DA opportunists using Centurion protest for political ends: Tshwane

16 April 2014 - 19:06 By Sapa
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DA flag.
DA flag.
Image: Gallo Images

The DA opportunistically used a protest in Olievenhoutbosch, Centurion, for political purposes, the City of Tshwane said on Thursday.

"In their desperate electioneering and last dip for undecided voters , the Democratic Alliance has decided to compile a list of demands and grievances about service delivery in the area on behalf of the community of Olievenhoutbosch," spokesman Blessing Manale said in a statement.

This was despite the fact that no memorandum of residents' grievances was presented to the municipality when the protest began on Tuesday.

Residents blocked the R55 on Tuesday morning by gathering in the middle of it.

Earlier, DA representative in the area, Zweli Khumalo, said Olievenhoutbosch residents were protesting about service delivery issues.

He claimed the protesters' grievances included housing issues around the relocation of Mooiplaas township residents to Olievenhoutbosch.

"It is claimed that scores of people have been waiting for an allocation for more than ten years, while connected persons have a number of houses allocated to them which are being rented out," Khumalo said.

"As a caring party, the DA calls on the African National Congress-led metro to attend to these burning issues as soon as possible."

Khumalo said the protest did not continue on Thursday, but residents were considering further protests later in the week.

Manale said the city's plans to relocate people living in Mooiplaats informal settlement to Olievenhoutbosch were met with resistance from some in Olievenhoutbosch.

"These disruptive actions have therefore necessitated a temporary delay in the relocation to ensure that future plans are implemented with ease and that persons relocated to Olievenhoutbosch are safe and secure and accepted as members of the community.

"We regard as opportunistic assertions by the DA that the disruptive blockade was a sign of service delivery challenges in the areas and call upon the DA to clarify its stance on violent protest and illegal disruption of services and intimidation of city employees in the area."

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