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Police arrest protesters who took part in the Occupy Rondebosch Common protest last Friday. Picture: David Ritchie

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• Outrage over arrests on Rondebosch Common

Charges were dropped on Monday against all 41 people arrested in connection with an illegal gathering at Rondebosch Common.

More than 100 people gathered outside Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday and celebrated the outcome.

Mario Wanza, Proudly Manenberg chairman, said this was a “major victory” for the people. They had the right to protest and police had no right to arrest them if they were not breaking any laws, said Wanza.

Wanza, however, will make his second appearance before Athlone Magistrate’s Court on March 16 after a brief appearance on Monday.

He was arrested in Manenberg on Friday before the initiative got off the ground.

He was released on R500 bail, on condition that he didn’t take part in any illegal protests.

“That my charge wasn’t dropped shows victimisation. We are considering (bringing) charges against the mayor for abuse of power,” said Wanza.

Meanwhile, an application has been made to the City of Cape Town for another protest in a week’s time. Cosatu has made a separate application.

Yushra Adams, a member of the newly formed Democratic Left Front, an anti-capitalist movement, said they would continue to invade all open land in Cape Town, including golf courses.

“There are too many golf courses in Cape Town and no houses. The government of this country only cares for the rich. We have a constitution, but our rights are not respected,” she said.

“We are put on the periphery, in the dump stations of the Western Cape. We need decent houses, not soup and itchy blankets.”

Weekend Argus reported that the Common was turned into a war zone on Friday as protesters, outnumbered by a huge police contingent, were sprayed with blue dye.

Scenes of chaos followed as police arrested the group, throwing people into the back of police vans, Casspirs and a police minibus.

They were taken to police stations at Mowbray, Claremont and Rondebosch.

sibusiso.nkomo@inl.co.za - Cape Argus