DA condemns the thuggish behaviour of EFF Members after Resident was Held Hostage
by Cllr Kade Guerreiro — DA Ward Councillor for Ward 92 in Ekurhuleni
Date: 19 February 2024
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni, Ward 92 is concerned about the safety of its residents after a community member was held hostage in Klopperpark by members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for voluntarily cutting grass on Kruin Street.
Residents of Klopperpark have, since last year, been maintaining the parks and roadsides in the community themselves. Unfortunately, an elderly resident was held hostage on Friday, 16 February 2024, after she was accused of taking jobs from members of the EFF. Her car was stormed by members of the EFF while she was cleaning a traffic island on Kruin Street. The resident was prevented from leaving the area, and essentially held hostage.
The DA would like to put on record that the act of stopping the municipal work of contractors by party cadres is not a new practice in the City. Since the start of the term DA wards across the metro have become victims to members of the EFF and African National Congress (ANC) military veterans stopping work of contractors, demanding employment and a share of the work being done in the ward.
The DA has raised concerns about this practice on several occasions, however, our pleas have fallen on deaf ears as the practice has now become a widespread norm across the City.
Although the DA encourages active citizenry following the collapse of service delivery in the City, we do not condone the victimisation of residents.
It must be noted that if the municipality ensured that basic service delivery occurred, residents would not be forced to take the initiative to keep their areas clean.
Nobody should be detained, threatened, or be treated unfairly or in a cruel, inhumane, or degrading manner just because they were trying to help.
We want to thank the Office of the Whip of Council for assisting in the matter and the swift response from the Bedfordview SAPS, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, the local Community Policing Forum, and members of the Afriforum for intervening in the matter.
The resident, although shaken by the incident, has decided to open a case with the Bedfordview Police Station. We condemn the behaviour and actions of the EFF and hope that they will be brought to book in the court of law.
Cllr. Kade Guerreiro
DA Ward Councillor for Ward 92 in Ekurhuleni
071 899 8646
