IRON FIST NEEDED AGAINST PROTESTORS WHO ATTACK RESIDENTS

The Freedom Front Plus said that the Tshwane metro council should act more strictly against illegal land invaders near Laudium who are protesting against their eviction. Some houses of Laudium residents were attacked with petrol bombs by these protesters.

Land owned by Pretoria Portland Cement was illegally invaded and PPC was granted an order in the Gauteng High Court that the shacks should be removed. The shack dwellers have refused, and instead are now accused of targeting nearby Laudium homes with petrol bombs.

According to Dr. Conrad Beyers, FF Plus councillor, an iron fist should be used when protesters get out of hand and start attacking residents.

The FF Plus accused the ANC controlled metro council of turning a blind eye to illegal land-invasions and that the metro council only acts after businesses and residents went through a lengthy and expensive court process to obtain a court order.

There are various areas in Pretoria where the metro council just stood by and allowed illegal land-invaders and squatter camps to be established in residential areas.

"A responsible city administration that cares for its residents should remove illegal land-invaders long before a serious problem is created", Beyers said.

Statement issued by Dr. Conrad Beyers, Freedom Front Plus Councillor: Tshwane Metro, January 11 2009

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter