Protesters clash with police after mayor refuses to meet them

KHAYELITSHA residents have given the City and the province seven days to respond to their memorandum after they clashed with police as they attempted to hand over a memorandum to Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis yesterday.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

Hundreds of marchers, led by councillors Lonwabo Mqina, Khayalethu Kama, Thando Mpengezi and Ndithini Thyido, arrived at the Civic Centre singing struggle songs.

Moments later, tension flared when a few protesters were pepper-sprayed as they tried to walk up the stairs to demand that the mayor receive their memorandum in person.

Noliza Nkampula said: “The police sprayed pepper spray at us as we were singing while walking up the stairs after hearing the mayor didn't want to come out to us. And we were not trying to access the building.”

Thyido criticised the mayor's absence, saying: “He instead sent junior officials, who would not have an idea of what was addressed.