Cape Town - The City of Cape Town is on high alert following threats that Rondebosch Common will be invaded on Easter Monday.
The threats were allegedly made by the Ses’khona People’s Rights Movement, who chose April 6 because historically it was known as Van Riebeeck’s Day.
Mayoral committee member for Human Settlements Benedicta van Minnen said Rondebosch residents had already been warned about the possible land invasion.
“We have appealed to the community to contact their ward councillors if they see anything.”
City law enforcement agencies and the police were on alert.
“There is indication that Ses’khona is interested in the land invasion… it was a way of bringing attention to land issues in the city.”
A vegetation fire at the common on Sunday was allegedly started to make way for the invasion.
City Fire and Rescue spokesman Theo Layne said his department suspected the fire was set deliberately.
“Three different places were burning at the same time. This indicates that it was a malicious set.”
His department was on high alert for the possible land invasion.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said a witness claimed to have seen two men set the fire. “Forensics confirmed it was arson.”
He said officials were keeping an eye on the common because it was an invasion hot spots.
“It’s council land.”
Ses’khona People’s Rights Movement spokesman Loyiso Nkohla denied that his organisation intended to invade the common.
He said they had no plan at leadership level, but if a group of people wanted to invade the common they would not deny them.
“
At this moment I am unaware of this and the leadership has not issued any instructions to invade land.”
Cape Argus