- A 16-year-old boy lost his eye after an
alleged altercation with law enforcement during an operation at the 18th Avenue
informal settlement. - The clash
occurred while officials were removing illegal structures, resulting in
injuries to bystanders. - Law
enforcement defended their actions, stating they faced resistance from
residents who fired live rounds and threw objects, with an investigation
underway.
A 16-year-old Kensington boy had to undergo an emergency
eye operation following an alleged violent clash with law enforcement officers.
The incident happened on Friday 14 February at the
18th Avenue informal settlement.
It is alleged that the City’s law enforcement officers
and their Metro Police counterparts fired rubber bullets to disperse residents
who were reportedly building illegal structures in the area. The boy allegedly
sustained injuries to his eye in the scuffle.
The teen’s grandmother said her grandson underwent an
operation at Groote Schuur Hospital on Wednesday 19 February.
“They had to remove his eye. I am angry and I have
nothing to say. He is like any young boy, but he was not troublesome.”
Cheslyn Steenberg, Ward 56 councillor, condemned the
incident: “Information to my disposal says that the reasons for the protest are
that the City of Cape Town Anti Land Invasion and law enforcement entered the
settlement firing at residents indiscriminately to break down what the City
termed as ‘illegal structures”.
He said the Factreton Community Centre and parts of the
road on 18th Avenue were damaged.
“No form of dialogue was going to be entertained from the
law enforcement side, they came in prepared for a fight based on the number of
vehicles and manpower. Several innocent bystanders were injured,” claimed
Steenberg.
Resident Illona Crouch emphasised that no new structures
were erected.
Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for the City’s law enforcement
department, said the officers assisted as “unoccupied illegal structures” were
removed by the Anti-Land Invasion Unit in terms of their court order.
“Upon arrival, angry community members started to fire at
officers with live rounds, throw stones, bottles, unknown objects and set tyres
alight on the roadway to prevent the officials from executing their duties.
“Officers discharged rubber rounds to ward off the attack
and to protect themselves. Officers made three arrests for Public Violence and
Interfering with police duties.”
According to Dyason Public Order Policing took over the
scene and held a meeting with the community.
“The material for 12 structures was removed, four
structures were taken down and removed to Ndabeni for safekeeping.”
Responding to queries
of the injured teen Dyason said: “No injuries were reported to officers.
However, the incident will be investigated as soon as a formal complaint is
received.”
