Probe into demolitions urged

2010-03-12 21:15

Cape Town - ANC chief whip Mathole Motshekga on Friday made a formal request to the Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate complaints that the City of Cape Town is violating religious rights by demolishing churches in Khayelitsha.

His office said this followed a fact-finding visit to Khayelitsha on Tuesday by ANC MPs "where they witnessed shocking and callous destruction of temporary structures of churches and mosques".

Motshekga's letter called on the SAHRC to probe the conduct of the Democratic Alliance local government and "to take appropriate corrective measures to bring relief to the affected communities".

Residents of Khayelitsha clashed with Cape Town's Anti Land Invasion Unit this week over the demolition of churches on land the council claimed was illegally occupied.
 

- SAPA