Xolani Koyana
THE so-called poo protesters could go on trial on August 12 for dumping human faeces at the airport, but for now their leaders are giving the ANC an ultimatum before the elections.
Speaking to about 100 supporters outside the Bellville Magistrate’s Court, ANC members Andile Lili and Loyiso Nkohla issued their ultimatum to the ruling party.
“We have made it clear. We will only vote for the ANC if they make a commitment to give these people what they want. If there is no land, sanitation or housing it means there’s no vote, even myself as an ANC councillor I won’t vote,” Nkohla said.
He said they were approaching the national government because some pieces of land in the province were owned by the state.
Lili said they had done nothing wrong and was confident the charges would be dropped. “We are fighting for the rights of our people.”
Nkohla said the Ses’khona People’s Rights Movement, which he and Lili led, was finalising plans for a rally on April 20 where they would introduce 20 000 volunteers.
Although Ses’khona was not a political organisation, its members would decide whether to endorse or reject the ANC in the elections on May 7.
Nkohla said their decision would be based on the national government’s response to their demands for housing, land and proper sanitation.
The pair, along with their co-accused Yanga Mjingwana, Ben Dyani, Jaji Diniso, Bongile Zanazo, Thembela Mbanjwa, Bantubakhe Mgobodiya and Wandisile Mkapa, appeared before magistrate Nkosi Saba on charges of contravening the Civil Aviation Ac. It is alleged they and seven others emptied containers with human faeces at the Cape Town International Airport’s entrance in the departure terminal on June 25.