Natasha Prince and Lindsay Dentlinger
10 September 2007
Cape Town — Mayor Helen Zille has defended her anti-drug protest action which led to her being arrested in Mitchells Plain yesterday, saying she plans to file counter charges against the police for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.
Zille will appear in court tomorrow to defend charges that she contravened the Illegal Gatherings Act, after protesters gathered outside the Mitchells Plain police station demanding answers for the arrest of one of the protest organisers, Moulana Maker.
What started out as a peaceful march against drugs in the Woodlands area ended with the arrest of Zille and several Mitchells Plain residents, including women and children.
The protest was lead by a group called People's Anti-drug and Liquor Action Committee (Padlac).
Zille was detained for about an hour at the police station and then released on a warning.
Today an incensed Zille slammed her critics, including acting Premier Leonard Ramatlakane who criticised the protest action.
In a statement, Ramatlakane accused Zille of being "in the habit of rushing into situations and embracing people without first understanding the entire context around their activities".
Ramatlakane said the province had responded with "grave concern" to the arrest of the mayor.
"Public representatives, by virtue of their positions in society, also have a duty to lead by example as our communities look up to them for leadership," he said.
He said Zille was aware that marches on the homes of suspected drug lords were a risky business and it was interesting that she chose to march in her capacity as DA leader and not as mayor, "as if she believes she has more licence to break the law in her capacity as DA leader".
But today Zille contended the group had done nothing illegal.
"We were creating a proper, peaceful and constructive outlet for people to protest and release their anger and frustration about drug dealers and drugs in their communities," she said.
"It was a peaceful march. I'm a citizen and I was showing solidarity with the community.
"We didn't arrest any or confront anybody. We had a right to protest peacefully."
Zille said she and the protesters were only delivering petitions at the gates of suspected drug dealers when the police arrested Maker outside one of the houses.
Speaking on radio today, Mitchells Plain station commissioner director Jeremy Vearey said the protesters did not have permission to gather outside the police station and had failed to heed a warning to disperse.
At about 2.30pm yesterday, about 200 people snaked through Woodlands in protest against drugs.
Among the conditions protesters had to adhere to was that only two people were allowed to deliver the memorandums and, according to police, marchers were not to stop or enter the premises of alleged drug dealers.
Trouble started while the group was passing the fourth alleged drug dealer's house.
Zille insisted they knock on the door and hand over the memorandum. Backed by Maker, Zille approached the house. She knocked on the door but no one responded.
Police then apprehended Maker and he was arrested for trespassing. He also faces a previous charge from a march held in Lentegeur when 12 protesters were arrested.
Police spokesman Captain Elliot Sinyangana said police had arrested the group for illegally gathering in front of the police station. He said the group had been warned to disperse and not to obstruct the course of justice.
"After they failed to heed the call of the police, they were arrested."
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