[DEBATE] : Attacks on foreigners organised, Graeme Hosken, Cape Times

[Berend Schuitema]

     I wouldn't make too much of the CPF situation regarding culpability in
the alleged irregularities that took place in the arresting and bail
application hearings of the people arrested in the Central Methodist Church.
It could well be that the CPF were getting complaints from residents or
businesses in the area and lodged these with the SAPS who then legitimately
acted on a complaint. There is a SAPS station not far from the church in a
cross over mall so they probably are aware of problems where large groups of
people are congregated and often misused by criminal elements. I am not
saying this is the case, but experience leads me to strongly suspect that
there is some criminal activity going on under the mantle of an entirely
legitimate humanitarian intervention by the church leaders. In fact, in the
first reports, this was stated by SAPS saying that when in hot pursuit of
bag snatchers or muggers they find themselves mum at the doors of the church
where these guys have taken refuge. They need a warrant to search the
premises although when in hot pursuit this can under certain circumstances
be dispensed with.  

     If the SAPS members acted outside of their mandates then one can lay
charges. Not that this is going to help much as the ICD, which investigates
such charges, has been downgraded almost to nothingness. 

      What should be considered is WHO laid the charge against the Church
residents? It need not to have been the CPF. It could have been the
Provincial Legislature or the City Council. It is highly unlikely that the
SAPS undertook a full scale raid without a warrant from the courts and
backed up be complaints by either private persons or public officials.
Remember that the Council is in the process of "cleaning up" Johannesburg
for 2010. 

     With regard to how the police, courts and CPFS are supposed to
interact, this is clearly stipulated in the  Constitution and legal
guidelines. 

     It is clear to me that Methodist Church is at fault as well. They
should have door control and a register at the entrance of the church. They
should also involve volunteers and paralegal organizations to help the
refugees getting back onto their feet. There is also the possibility of
joining with the relative CPF structure and running a social welfare-linked
plan for the refugees. If the CPF is seen as the culprit this has nothing to
do with the CPF but with the people running the outfit. They may be
vigilantes. It is the duty not to leave these open for such abuse by good
thinking people who know Lenin. Standing on the sidelines like a political
commissar blasting all and sundry leading some to perceive that there is an
inquisition or intimidation going on, is definitely not the way to go. 

     There is also another route for those with public safety concerns at
hearts, as I believe socialist practitioners all have in abundance. The
Gauteng Legislature can be approached to find out how far the implementation
of Community Safety Forums have been implemented. This Forums are supposed
to be located with local government structures and gives ample means to make
interventions with any institution or official at the local level. 

Berend        


Attacks on foreigners organised, Graeme Hosken, Cape Times

What the Jhb CPF got up to in relation to the raid on the Central
Methodist Church might well have been crime.

CPFs are public bodies whose membership and records should be open to
any citizen who wants them, including journalists.

Journalists have not picked up the CPF connection in this case. Carmel
Rickard does a good job from the court records. But she lives in some
Free State dorp and cannot investigate the relationships between
different actors in Johannesburg.

What is the relationship between police, CPF, prosecutors, and
magistrates? Who are the personalities? Who has agency? The whole
set-up needs a Dashiell Hammet to write it up.

As for this kind of thing from Hanif Manjoo:

"I merely regurgitated what locals had been talking/noting,"

anybody who has been reading Manjoo's claims of authenticity with
Chief Luthuli, Adam Kok et cetera will note the way the guy gives
himself away again with this patronising, alienating, colonial use of
the word "locals".

It would be enough to make a horse laugh if it was not standard racist
patter.

Domza


On 23/02/2008, hanif manjoo <hola at absamail.co.za> wrote:
> Hi Domza!
>
> Is this an inquisition or intimidation?

> Is it a crime to serve on the CPF?
> Anyway, my son was not there (I doubt if he is still a member). I do not
> serve on any CPF's.
> You should get your answers from the SAPS or the Jhb CPF- I don't know
them.
>

> I merely regurgitated what locals had been talking/noting.
> Yes, I should have qualified the input.
> Is every local at each street corner or township also going to be
attacked?
> Why should the topic not be discussed and issues looked at for resolution?
> Whoever suggested that should retract- that was not civil.


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