THROUGH WIND and rain, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) protesters marched through the streets of Bluff, ending their trek at the ward 66 councillor’s office earlier today (Thursday, 23 August).
The march proceeded peacefully from the verge opposite Oxford in Tara Road and without incident, as some 100 marchers were accompanied by a large police contingent which escorted them through the central parts of the Bluff.
A memorandum was handed over to Councillor JP Prinsloo by EFF ward 66 secretary, Banele Thusi with a list of grievances which included the provision of shelters for the people of Polla Park, the legal informal settlement behind the DSW garden refuse site.
Among the list of demands contained in the memorandum were a demand for alternative dwellings with all necessary resources; to award job opportunities without the condition of being part of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and a special intervention on the school project taking place at Donnelly and Winchelsea roads where the inhabitants of an abandoned building were vacated without notification or an alternative place to go.
Among the 100 red berets was wheelchair-bound and Polla Park shack dweller, Mthokozisi Phewa. The 29-year-old has lived in the bush for three years and survives with the help of a woman who gives him food and other necessities. Because of his disability, he is unable to work and has no home, besides his makeshift home in the bush. “I have no family and I feel invisible, especially with my disability…
“I’m ignored by everyone but all I want from this march is for my voice and the voice of others to be acknowledged and heard.”
READ: Call for calm ahead of EFF protest over illegal Bluff land invasion
Cllr Prinsloo listened to the protesters’ grievances and accepted the memorandum. He said he would write to the mayor about the memorandum and finding a way forward. He dispelled allegations that people seeking jobs have to sign up to be members of the DA. “With every single person who comes to the office looking for a job, we request that they bring in a CV or we compile their CV so that we can put them on a database. Once we know of a project, we draw CVs from the folder. They do not have to be part of a political party, we don’t ask them for membership. We try to be as transparent and fair as possible,” he said.
The marchers dispersed at about 1pm from the councillor’s office near the NG Church.
WATCH: EFF march to Bluff Councillor’s office
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