Sheriff of Court/SAPS to give effect to interim interdict against destructive individuals

The City of Cape Town was last Thursday, 23 May 2013, granted an interim interdict by the Western Cape High Court against 89 former employees of Sannicare CC, as well as seven residents of Ward 40, known to be associated with the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL). These individuals have been identified in the City's affidavit to the court as having been actively engaged in unlawful conduct aimed at preventing or discouraging delivery of services.

The interim interdict, prohibits and restrains these individuals, and any others who associate themselves with that unlawful conduct, from interfering with City's service delivery, staff and property and compels the relevant law enforcement agencies to take the necessary action to stop them.

It also prevents the respondents from blockading any roads into and surrounding the N2, Borchard's Quarry, NY108, the R300, Klipfontein Road, Stock Road, Symphony Way, Sheffield Road and Vanguard Drive. 

This morning, there was again disruption and blocking of the roads around Borchard's Quarry. This is in contempt of the interim interdict which is a court order. The Sheriff of the High Court, is responsible for effecting service of the order on the respondents. The Sheriff and/or the South African Police Services (SAPS) must give effect to the provisions of the order and stop the unlawful conduct should individuals continue with such unlawful conduct in contempt of the court order.

The City of Cape Town welcomes the interim interdict as it will assist us to provide desperately-needed essential services to affected communities, especially in those areas worst affected by the violence such as Kanana/Barcelona and Boystown, without the interference of a few individuals.

The City views threats of violence and the disruption of basic service provision in a very serious light and will not allow the actions of a small minority to affect the living conditions of the majority of citizens.

We will continue to use whatever legal channels we can to stop this well-coordinated attack on City staff, innocent citizens and public property. We call on all involved to desist with any form of unlawful behaviour and appeal to the ANCYL to encourage its members not to get involved in such unlawful conduct.

Statement issued by Councillor Ernest Sonnenberg, Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services, City of Cape Town, May 27 2013

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