Settlement apologises to community

Ward 71 committee member Macbeth Modisadife (42) visited the Record on 27 January on behalf of the Princess informal settlement residents.

According to Modisadife he was mandated by a large part of the settlement to apologise to the community at large and the settlement’s neighbours.

“On behalf of the settlement I want to apologise for the protesters’ rude behaviour and the inconvenience and damages they caused. It was an illegal protest and unfortunately there was a criminal element involved that hijacked the protests,” explained Modisadife.

“We are concerned about the good relationships we had with our neighbours. The community surrounding the settlement always was involved with helping our poor and unemployed residents. Furthermore a lot of businesses surrounding the settlement employed residents from the settlement, alleviating unemployment. Now we are worried that the protests have set back the relationships that have been built,” said Modisadife in his heartfelt apology.

“A big part of the settlement’s residents did not engage in the protests and feels bad about the damage, theft and violence.”

Modisadife also thanked the police.

“I feel it is unfair how the police was being criticised. They did their best and handled it as best as they could. As a community member I appreciated their presence and have an understanding for the situation they found themselves in. They are only human,” said Modisadife.

He said that the community hoped that all the negativity can be put in the past and that relationships can be mended again.

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