Will the cars be safe here?
It was another sweltering hot day as the Commission of Inquiry continued its inspections around Khayelitsha. Crime hotspots and locations for community courts were visited. These include Nkanini, Harare Park and Ilitha Park.
As we gathered in the parking lot of Lookout Hill before heading out for the day visiting important sites around Khayelitsha I overheard two senior SAPS officers chatting. “Will our cars be safe here?” one asked.
Welcome Makele of the SJC explained to the commission the significance of each location. The first was Nkanini, a small, sandy part of Khayelitsha on the edge of Baden Powell Drive. On the map it is T3-V2. Nkanini has been in the news for service delivery protests and community courts in recent times.
A man named Mpumi Fani approached the Commission. He stated that he was the previous chairperson of the court, and explained how it worked. If a person is caught for a less serious crime he or she is hit with a Sjambok. A more serious crime (such as rape or murder) would result in the accused being killed by the mob.
Nkanini in the background, Advocate Pikoli, Advocate Arendse (representing SAPS) and Justice O’Regan frown at the plastic toilet system used at night by Nkanini residents. Photo by Adam Armstrong.
The Commission also inspected the toilet system. Connie Malothe, a resident, explained how toilets work in Nkanini. One toilet is shared between four families. Toilets are only tended to once a week. Plastic toilet systems are used for elderly people and at night, when it is too dangerous to leave one’s house.
Ms Malothe passionately explained how unhappy she was with the way services were being delivered. She ended proudly, saying, “I am a South African and I am free to speak [about] what I don’t like.”
“I am a South African and I am free to speak [about] what I don’t like.”
Next the Commission was taken to an open sportsfield. Welcome Makele explained that once a ‘guilty verdict’ has been found at the community court, the suspect would be brought to this open field and killed.
The day continued in this way. The Commission visited various crime hotspots and heard how criminals hung out in abandoned buildings or police were slow to respond.
The day ended early, at 2pm. Opening statements are to be made today (Thursday 23rd) at 10am at Lookout Hill.
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