City encourages vendors to lay charges against organisers of yesterday's protest

The City of Cape Town condemns the looting of vendors' stalls and shops following yesterday's demonstration allegedly organised by Andile Lili and current ANC councillor, Loyiso Nkohla.

These individuals have been behind a series of violent protests in Cape Town as part of their concerted efforts to make the City and Province "ungovernable".

The City has previously submitted evidence to the South African Police Service (SAPS) linking these individuals to violent protests.

While we respect everyone's constitutional right to protest, it is totally unacceptable for any individual or group to use protests to incite and carry out criminal activities like yesterday.

I extend my empathy to the vendors and shop-owners whose businesses were looted during the despicable anarchy that prevailed in the CBD.

Street vendors are an integral part of our local economy. They work hard under difficult economic times to grow their businesses.

I encourage all of those whose businesses were looted or who had their properties vandalised during yesterday's disruption to press individual charges against the organisers of the demonstration.

The City of Cape Town will assist with the provision of CCTV footage to help identify the perpetrators.

Nobody is above the law. The expression of our constitutional rights should not be used as a tool to launch illegal activities. The organisers of the yesterday's demonstration must be held legally liable for the looting and destruction of private property.

Statement issued by Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, October 31 2013

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