Philippi East residents protest for basic services on R300 freeway

A service delivery protest by residents of Loyiso Nkohla Village brought traffic to a standstill on one of Cape Town’s busiest highways on Thursday morning, as community members demanded access to electricity and other basic services.

The protest, which involved about 80 residents, blocked the R300 freeway near Stock Road before being dispersed by police.

The community, previously relocated from railway tracks in Philippi East, said they had run out of patience after more than two years of waiting for formal services.

Residents were moved to the site on Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) land more than two years after they built informal dwellings on the rail line during the COVID-19 lockdown, prompting Prasa to shut down the Cape Flats and Central lines.

The relocation was meant to be temporary.

Community leader Lizo Dlamini said: “When Prasa relocated us, it was said that we would be here for 18 months. It has now been more than two years.

“They want to open the Mitchells Plain line and have started cutting our illegal electricity connections. We had a meeting with them two weeks ago, they said they would come back to us, but we’ve heard nothing.”

Dlamini said the community wants Prasa to release the land to the City of Cape Town so that municipal services can be provided.

“We are flooded, and the City still can’t intervene. We are paying R400 to connect electricity from residents in Heinz Park. We don’t know what to do anymore,” he said.

“Prasa told us they had found land to relocate us, but nothing has happened. In the meantime, we are living without electricity or proper services.”

According to Dlamini, more than 900 shacks are now on the site, with an estimated 2,000 people living in the area, including many young children who, he said, are often seen playing near the disused railway tracks.

“Prasa has arranged a meeting for Friday, and we will take it from there,” he added.

Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed that Public Order Police were deployed to monitor the situation and clear the road.

“The approximately 80 disgruntled protesters have left the R300, which was cleared. It was a service delivery protest,” said Pojie.

“A public violence case will be registered for investigation. No arrests have been made.”

Prasa national spokesperson Andiswa Makanda said the Loyiso Nkohla Settlement is a temporary relocation site established for households who had previously occupied rail reserves unlawfully.

“As an interim measure to ensure comfort and livability, the City of Cape Town is providing services such as water, ablution facilities, and refuse removal services. Prasa continues to engage with the City on service delivery matters raised by the community.

“The Prasa regional team has continuously met with the community of the Loyiso Nkohla settlement and emphasised that their permanent relocation is being coordinated through an intergovernmental structure.

“This structure comprises the National Departments of Transport, Human Settlements, and Public Works with their respective entities, including the HDA, Prasa, and the City of Cape Town.”

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za