Mitchell's Plain land occupation explained

On 14 May 2011 the Mitchells Plain Backyarders' Association^[1] occupied two pieces of land in Kapteinsklip and Swartklip in Mitchells Plain. About 5,000 people participated in the occupation.^[2]

Outcomes

There was a violent clash between occupiers and the police.^[3] ^[4] Fourteen people were arrested.^[5] Following the occupation there were a number of protest in defense of the occupation.^[6] ^[7] An eviction order was served on the occupiers and they were denied leave to appeal. One of the occupiers Faiza Meyer was quoted as saying "I have been living on [this] land for four months, so what if we have this beautiful Constitution, it means nothing."^[8] The anti-land invasion unit destroyed the occupation. It was reported that the Anti-Land Invasion Unit acted with considerable violence that resulted in breaking Christen De Jager's leg.^[9]

Video

Mitchells Plain land invasion and police response, Bush Radio News Clip on the Occupation and the Police Response,

Notes and References

Web site: Mitchell's Plain Backyarder's Association . 2013-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130922034846/http://antieviction.org.za/category/archives/mitchells-plain-backyarders-association-archives/ . 2013-09-22 . dead .
http://www.thenewage.co.za/mobi/Detail.aspx?NewsID=21289&CatID=1011 Mitchells Plain land invasion case postponed till July
http://www.urbanlandmark.org.za/downloads/clipping_iol_may2011.pdf Mitchell’s Plain land grab clashes escalate
http://www.abahlali.org/node/8056 Bricks, bullets fly in land grab
http://www.thenewage.co.za/mobi/Detail.aspx?NewsID=21289&CatID=1011 Mitchells Plain land invasion case postponed till July
http://www.thenewage.co.za/24128-1011-53-Give_us_decent_housing%21 Give us decent housing!
http://antieviction.org.za/2011/07/28/media-show-of-strength-outside-court/ Media: Show of strength outside court
http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/0fcbff00487ba259aab0ba12e7ad9f1e/Tafelsig-land-invaders-leave-to-appeal-application-dismissed--20110926 Tafelsig land invaders leave to appeal application dismissed
http://allafrica.com/stories/201106071248.html Backyarders Injured in Anti-Land Invasion Demolition