Application to gather at Rondebosch Common by COSATU

COSATU has formally applied to gather at the Rondebosch Common on Saturday 4 February 2012.

All the correct procedures have been followed in terms of the Gatherings Act and permission is likely to be granted. It is important to state that as with any application in terms of the Gatherings Act, it is an administrative process governed by the legislation and no politicians have any influence in the approval process.

The march is planned to take place from 11am to 2pm, and COSATU plans to use public transport to convey the group to the Common. The route will be from Klipfontein Road along Campground Road and Sawkins Road. The group will finally gather and disperse from the tarred parking lot alongside Sawkins Road.

Sawkins Road will have to be closed during this time. COSATU has also undertaken to provide two portable toilets on site. COSATU has applied for permission for 1 000 people to gather and has committed to provide 100 marshals.

SAPS and Metro Police will monitor the situation. As was the case last Friday, when any matters of public order or safety are involved SAPS are the lead agency in terms of national legislation, and City law enforcement plays a supporting role. Police are under the command of POP (Public Order Policing).

We are entering the second year of Table Talk, formerly known as Little Mowbray Car Boot Sale and it continues to create excitement and camaraderie amongst the Little Mowbray and Rosebank residents.

Our next sale day is scheduled for 11^th February 2012 – 0900 to 12:00 at the Mossop Hall. The intention is to host the event every 2^nd Saturday of every second month. This is not set in stone as there are months where it is not possible. Such as April where the 2^nd Saturday falls on Easter Weekend. We will keep you posted.

I already have 10 bookings for tables on the next sale day so please let me know if you are interested in selling on the day and I will reserve a table for you.

I have both bought and sold at these events — they’re fun!

BRIC is a sub-branch of Habitat For Humanity. BRIC is a goup of students from Rustenburg, Westerford, Bishops, SACS and Herschel that works to raise money for people less fortunate than ourselves, in order to provide them with basic homes. They hold an event called Cyclathon once a year. This year it is at the V & A Waterfront Amphitheatre on the 3rd and 4th of February. It is an event that runs from 6pm on Friday to 7pm on Saturday over 25 hours, with students and public riding to keep 9 stationary bikes going for the full 25 hours.

Last year we raised R91 000 during the event which is a huge amount, but one that we are hoping to beat this year. The only way that we are able to raise the money is by having people there on the day to buy the raffle tickets (R20) which have awesome prizes. The raffle is drawn every hour on the hour. There is also great entertainment the whole time and an awesome vibe.

For the people that unfortunately can’t make it on the day, there is something that you can do too. “100′s and 1000′s” is where we get 100 businesses to give a thousand rand and 1000 families to give a hundred rand.

I hope to see you all there. Please tell everybody you know and come have a great day and support a great cause.”

We are all very concerned about the possible problems that could arise from any illegal march or invasion of the Rondebosch Common – an event that is set to take place tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.

I would like to re-assure residents that the SAPS are taking every precaution to ensure that matters do not get out of hand in the event that any such activities take place. Elaborate arrangements have been made, involving many police units, city police departments and private security instances. These arrangements will be in place the whole weekend.

Residents should go about their ordinary business in the normal way but should be alert to any unusual activity during the weekend. It may also be wise to avoid going to the Common tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.

If residents see anything suspicious, they should report their observations immediately – in the normal way – to our local police station (021-680-9580) or to the sector patrol vans (082-411-2438 or 079-894-1466).

They can also make reports to the Claremont Cluster Command Centre, which will be operational from 6am tomorrow (Friday) morning. The command centre numbers are 021-657-2252 or 021-657-2285.

Rondebosch Common Event

Late last year the RNW (Rosebank Neighbourhood Watch) and a number of other roleplayers alerted the City that a gathering was being planned for Rondebosch Common. Since then both SAPS and the City have been monitoring the situation.

An application was made to the City on January 13th for a gathering at Rondebosch Common this coming weekend, in terms of the nationally prescribed Gatherings Act. The organisers where invited to attend a meeting at the Civic Centre on 19th January at 12pm, in order for negotiations to take place concerning the application. The representatives failed to arrive by 12:35 and the meeting was adjourned.

A letter was sent on to the organisers on 19 January 2012 informing them that permission had not been granted for the march and/or gathering. No additional applications have been submitted.

No safety plan has been lodged with the South African Police Services (SAPS) for the proposed march (which is a legal requirement for events like this).

Any march or gathering will be an illegal gathering in terms of National regulations (Gatherings Act No 295 of 1993) and any persons taking part can face criminal prosecution.

The SAPS and the City are now preparing for the possibility of an illegal gathering and are taking all precautions to manage the situation. The SAPS will take the lead in monitoring and managing the situation and City law enforcement will assist and support.

There will be a heightened SAPS and law enforcement presence in the area from Thursday.

In the event that a gathering goes ahead members of the community are requested to alert the SAPS and allow them to manage the situation.

Please call me direct for any additional information on 084 681 0012.

Cllr Matthew Kempthorne

The RNW Committee, as well as the Friends of the Rondebosch Common, have been aware of the proposed summit for some time now, and have been engaged with the relevant city officials and law enforcement agencies. While the intention of the organisers may be construed as confrontational, we are appealing to community members to act with restraint and let the City of Cape Town, SAPS and other role players deal with the situation. We expect a media release from Councillor Mathhew Kempthorne to reach us this evening. This follows a meeting held today to deal with this matter. It will be distributed as soon as it reaches us.

From the website:

From the 27th until the 29th of January, communities will be converging on the iconic Rondebosch Commons next to the Red Cross Hospital to hold a People’s Land! Housing! and Jobs! Summit where we will discuss and develop a more radical people driven program for the proper integration of our cities and establishing the right of families to a basic income, jobs, economic opportunities, social mobility, housing, land and the right to the city.

By taking back the ‘commons’, we will not only be claiming our rights, but coming together to create a new space of action. We are outraged that we live in one of the most segregated, unequal, and inhospitible cities on Earth. On Rondebosch Commons, we will attempt to break free of our collective shackles and build another kind of city.

During the 3 days in which we will occupy the Commons, we will do the following:

• Hold General Action Assemblies
• Listen to testimonials from communities
• Teach one another about different ways we can improve our lives
• Develop ideas for mass actions regarding the issues of land, housing, jobs, services and community governance
• Chart out the way forward

I think we all want a less segregated city but attacking one of the few safe public open spaces we have doesn’t seem a very effective way to achieve it. Especially for a group that also claims they want to “protect our mother earth and our environment, and safeguard our natural heritage for future generations.”

Anybody know more about this?
 

Just a reminder about the current modus operandi in the southern suburbs, especially for new residents.

1. Cars TO STEAL – old models eg Honda Ballades, Toyota Corolla, Golfs etc

2. Cars USED to steal – especially for smash and grabs – UPMARKET, newer models. A recent “smash and grab” group in Constantia used the above car as a getaway vehicle. In early December, in neighbouring RCID, a gold BMW station wagon (4 males) was also used in a smash and grab.

As we know, crime moves from area to area. Please pay special attention to BMW’s – especially GOLD ones, and STATION WAGONS – also if there are 2,3 or 4 occupants. CALL THE SECTOR VAN if you see any suspicious people or vehicles.