Hangberg threaten city with a 'big war'

27 May 2016 - 10:24 By FARREN COLLINS

"There will be a big war if structures come down," said the Hangberg Mediation Forum spokesman Greg Louw, yesterday.His chilling warning came after he met residents of Hangberg in Hout Bay on Wednesday evening to discuss the City of Cape Town's plans to remove informal dwellings in the area.It is the latest in the rift between the city and the residents of Hangberg, which led to the outbreak of urban warfare in 2010. Residents annoyed with the slow pace of housing delivery, battled for days with police in a violent exchange of petrol bombs, rocks and rubber bullets.Former finance minister Trevor Manuel was among those eventually brought in to mediate.In the current stand-off Louw said the city refuses to hand over the homes built as part of the area's housing development plan, unless residents agree to take down the "bungalows".But the residents won't budge, stating that the new homes are not big enough for families."People have been waiting for these new homes for over 20 years," said Louw."In that time families have grown and people built bungalows," he said."They want them to be left for their children and extended families."Hangberg residents have set out an ultimatum for the city to either hand over the new homes by Monday and leave the bungalows in tact, or risk protests in the streets.The city's councillor for human settlements, Benedicta van Minnen, said the city had been engaging with beneficiaries on the matter."Throughout, the city has indicated that it must adhere to the allocation policy, which requires that structures are removed before occupation of a subsidised unit may take place," Van Minnen said."It has also been conveyed to the earmarked beneficiaries that, should they refuse the removal of their structures, the housing opportunity will be offered to other qualifying beneficiaries who are next in line and who are awaiting an opportunity."In 2011 Mayor Patricia De Lille handed out letters "committing" to transfer the properties. De Lille said the gesture was a "process of making peace in Hangberg"...

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