In outrageous contempt of court, the City of Joburg’s Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers have just attacked and shot at street traders in de Villiers Street, central Johannesburg, wounding several. The JMPD has also arrested Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) attorney Nomzamo Zondo, who was one the scene. She has been taken to the Johannesburg Central Police Station. SERI lawyers and a large delegation of street traders have rushed to the police station. SERI has represented the South African Informal Traders Forum (SAITF), supported by thousands of street traders as well as the Workers and Socialist Party, in the long struggle which today finally resulted in victory at the Constitutional Court, granting the order that street traders immediately be allowed to return to the streets to trading. The City’s forced removals, harassment, confiscation stand confirmed as illegal.
The City’s and its ANC masters apparently believe they rule a banana republic. If the Con Court ruling has not been enough to relieve them of this sweet dream, they will have a rude awakening as we continue mass- and legal action to enforce our victory as well as take them on in the elections in 2014 and beyond.