[DEBATE] : this side of the limpopo

[Richard Pithouse]

Authorities in South Africa are also happy to ban or make impossible the legal holding of protests. below is a letter from the fxi to sutcliffe


http://www.ukzn.ac.za/ccs 


15 February 2006

Mr Mike Sutcliffe
City Manager
eThekwini Municipality
Fax: (031) 311-2170

Dear Mr Sutcliffe

Re: Proposed march by Abahlali Base Mjondolo

The shack dwellers  movement, Abahlali Base Mjondolo, handed in
an application on the 25th January 2006 to The Chief Director of the
Metro Police, notifying eThekiwni authorities, in terms on the
Regulation of Gatherings Act, of their intention to hold a march on
the 20th February 2006. Their application was well within the
minimum 14-day notice period.

It is unfortunate that by 16:00 today (15th February 2006), the
organisation has still not been informed by your office about your
decision regarding their proposed march. You will appreciate that any
such gathering / event requires an enormous amount of preparation:
fundraising; arranging transport; choosing, briefing and training
marshals as well as meetings with police and other local authorities to
set up liaison for the day, etc. We are sure that no party will want a
situation where either the marchers or members of the local authority
and police are ill-prepared for the gathering.

We have been informed by your secretary that you are still
considering the application by Abahlali. We want to urge you to treat
this matter with a great deal of urgency, especially since the march is
due to take place in five days time.

Yours truly,



______________
Na eem Jeenah
Anti-Censorship Programme




http://www.ukzn.ac.za/ccs 

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