Patricia de Lille providing services to private land on ‘humanitarian grounds’
Siqalo settlement residents want land and electricity, but the land is privately owned; and De Lille says the owner is blaming the city for not providing services
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille says a private landowner had blocked the city’s efforts to electrify an informal settlement where service delivery protests turned violent this week.Residents of the Siqalo settlement clashed with police and became embroiled in a racially charged confrontation with their neighbours in Mitchells Plain. They were demanding land and electricity.De Lille‚ speaking at the opening of a municipal court in Lentegeur in Mitchells Plain on Friday‚ explained that Siqalo was situated on privately owned land. "I have got several letters that we have written to [the landowner]."The landowner wants the city to purchase the land but it is deemed unsuitable for development due to extensive sand mining activities there. The city has provided water to residents but needs permission to provide electricity to the informal settlement.Speaking about the violent protests this week‚ De Lille said, "We have been able to secure the peace now. We have agreed to meet with the c...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.