18 February 2009
A Cape Town City Council disciplinary committee has sentenced Democratic
Alliance (DA) Councillor Frank Martin to a one-month suspension for his role in
instigating the biggest post-1994 home invasion in South Africa's history, in
Delft, in December 2007.
Approximately 1 700 two-bedroom homes that were under construction as part
of the N2 Gateway development were illegally invaded and many severely
damaged.
The monetary cost of the invasion which endured for three months prior to
the invaders being evicted by the Sheriff of the Court amounted to more than
R40 million. This includes legal and security costs, and the costs of repairing
damage to the homes.
It excludes the costs of delays to the project, and the considerable human
costs.
Councillor Martin's actions effectively rendered people homeless. He
encouraged them to leave backyard dwellings they lived in to mount the
invasion. But after their eviction, they were left with nothing and nowhere to
go.
It appears the Cape Town City Council, in its wisdom, has hopelessly
under-estimated the gravity of this case. In particular, the council
under-estimated the cost to the most vulnerable people, whose aspirations for
dignified homes were exploited for narrow political gain.
Councillor Martin deliberately undermined the legitimacy of the state, and
transgressed state processes applicable to all spheres of government,
particularly in relation to housing allocations.
His sentence does not match his crime, in human or financial terms.
Now that he has been judged and found guilty by a committee constituted by
his peers, criminal charges against Councillor Martin must be pursued. In
addition, the Department of Housing (DoH) will pursue legal processes. Martin
must account for his actions in a court of law.
Enquiries:
Ndivhuwo Mabaya
Cell: 083 645 7838
Issued by: Department of Housing
18 February 2009
Source: Department of Housing (http://www.housing.gov.za)
