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By Nomalanga Tshuma 
2h ago
Cape Town – Chaos erupted earlier today when SAPS and law enforcement officials denied access to Brackenfell High School to protesting members of the Azania Pan Africanist Congress (PAC).
The enraged PAC members, who had planned to appear advertised at Brackenfell High, were met with resistance from police officers who cordoned off several roads leading to the school, resulting in an awkward confrontation between the two groups.
Lindokuhle Matiwe, a spokesperson for PAC, said the organization was organizing the protest in support of EFF members who were attacked in the community last Monday when they tried to peacefully protest against racism at Brackenfell High.
“For us, this is not just about what happens at school, but about the treatment of our brothers when they spoke out against it. They were violently assaulted for defending their children by arrogant white people from Brackenfell.
“We came here to tell you that Azania is our land and they will never be able to tell us that we are not welcome here. White people cannot continue to act as if we are still under the apartheid laws. We have the right to protest and denounce racism, ”said Matiwe.
The group, who had gathered at the Brackenfell train station, proceeded to walk in the direction of Brackenfell High despite resistance from police and law enforcement, most of whom drove off and cordoned off the road leading to the school.
Despite warnings to disperse, the protesting PAC members continued their protest march, causing chaos when the SAPS subsequently threw several stun grenades at the protesting crowd.
As he left the chaotic scene, PAC logistics officer Masixole Mlandu said the organization had decided to withdraw and regroup as they were outnumbered by law enforcement.
“We decided to pull out because we were clearly outnumbered by state officials, and I think that’s because of the community we are currently in in Brackenfell.
“However, when we go home we restrategy and will be back on Friday. This protest was in support of our EFF colleagues, of whom it is our right as citizens to denounce injustices like us, ”said Mlandu.
Police spokesman Andre Traut said police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a crime under the Gatherings Act and Public Violence is under investigation following the illegal protest in Brackenfell this morning.
Traut said: “Members of the public order police were deployed to the area to maintain law and order and were forced to take action when the situation became unstable. The crowd eventually dispersed and arrests have yet to be made.
“The situation in the area is still being monitored and our forces will remain in the area until we are satisfied that calm has been restored.”
The group, which had originally planned to march to the Brackenfell police station to press charges against residents who attacked EFF protesters before continuing on to the high school, today gave up their attempt to protest. However, they promise to return in numbers on Friday morning.
Cape Argus
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