Cape Town - An inquiry into the evictions at Lwandle must be impartial, Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said on Thursday.
“The inquiry itself, in order to have legitimacy and credibility, needs to be impartial and objective,” she said in a statement.
It was concerning that two people appointed to the inquiry, its chairman Denzil Potgieter and Annelize van Wyk, had “extremely close links to the ANC”.
De Lille said she therefore appealed to Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to appoint people who could “bring a more independent and objective perspective”.
Sisulu's spokesman Ndivhuwo Mabaya suggested direct communication between De Lille and Sisulu.
“The minister is the boss of Patricia de Lille, so Patricia must write to her.”
On Monday and Tuesday, 846 families living on SA National Roads Agency Limited-owned land next to the N2 highway were evicted under an interim court order.
Their shacks were demolished and set alight. Many people lost most or all of their possessions.
On Thursday, Sisulu announced the inquiry into the removals.
The other members are Nomhle Beauty Dambuza, Mampe Ramotsamai, Butch Steyn, and Barnabas Xulu, who would provide legal advice.
Sapa