Warwick Bruce Chapman

Our placard protest at Old Main and Stapleton today in support of media freedom was a most interesting experience. A small group of about 15 of us donned our DA-kit and held our placards to the passing traffic. The response was most unexpected with about 2/3 of vehicle passing us giving us the unequivocal hoot of support!

I’m certain an ANC big wig drove past as well because the index finger he showed us was most certainly the opposite of support. I wonder if it was quite necessary to display the same finger to Cllrs Jean Lindsay and Gill Noyce – but perhaps that’s me just being a little traditional.

Cllr Noma Phungula and two activists from Mpumalanga township she brought along got a fair bit of hecking and sprinking of “we are disappointed in you” from passing motorists. Those giving them stick pretty consistently looked like what one might call a BEE fatcat (or that’s how Noma put it at least!).

If anything the support for protest was a great indication that the issue of the Information Bill and the Media Tribunal is one that surpasses race. Secondarily, it would appear that ANC loyalists are a little prickly on this issue, resorting to the middle finger in response and tackling our activists for selling out (the ANC’s politics of race alive and well!).

I have it on good authority (via SADTU member) that the message reproduced verbatim below was sent to SADTU members today via SMS:

Comrades, total shutdown of schools continues tomorrow (Monday - 16 Aug 2010). The ff. program must be implemented:
1) Intensify the closing down of former model c and private school.
2) All Regions have rejected the offer of 7% and R700 housing subsidy.
3) The program that will be followed going forward will be tabled and engaged at the Branch Chairs and Secretaries Forum that will be held at Regional Office at 14:00 tomorrow (16 Aug).
4) All SADTU members are expected to partake in the total shutdown program. We will meet @ Ptn Library @ 7H30.
Branch Secretary

I have notified the Pinetown SAPS and Metro Police and requested they protect the schools from being closed down. Please let as many people as you can know, especially those in the targeted schools.

Cllr Warwick Chapman
083 7797 094

In tackling some of the many town planning violations taking place in the Inner West I have been accused of, amongst others, racism and Islamophobia. The truth is that the people being targetted are selected on the basis of their disregard for the law and I can assure you that every grouping in South Africa is well represented in this regard.

The violations in question include an illegal recruitment office with illegal extensions, an illegal mosque with illegal building alterations, the notorious brothels, panel beaters operating in residential areas and illegal car sales. I consider these to be serious violations which must be dealt with strictly in order to avoid what are perceived as minor indiscretions becoming part of a greater culture of lawlessness.

Property owners have been required in the past to break down structures for which there is no building approval and to close down or move businesses for which they have no zoning rights.

I would like to assure all people running illegal businesses and other disruptive activities from their homes, and those engaging in illegal building and alterations that we will catch you and you will be penalised.

As ward councillor in Pinetown, KZN, I yesterday evening laid a charge against the local SAMWU shopstewards at the Pinetown SAPS for the damage striking Municipal workers had caused to two water meters in the Pinetown Civic Centre precinct. In addition, striking workers trashed the parking lots and streets around the Civic Centre area.

I attempted to lay a charge of intimidation on behalf of the members of staff who chose yesterday not to go on strike but were forced to stop work by a mob of strikers who came into the Civic Centre Offices and intimidated them. The SAPS require more details and witnesses for the intimidation charge to be laid but Municipal workers affected are too terrified to speak to me.

I have distributed letters around the office requesting employees provide me information via email, SMS or slipping it under my door in the Civic Centre. I am sure SAMWU will slip a dead fish under my door as a result.

Municipal Manager, Dr Mike Sutcliffe, has been made aware of the charge being laid and is in support of this action.

Today in Pinetown, striking municipal workers intimidated fellow employees who were not participating in the strike, damaged two water meters near the Pinetown Civic Hall and lay waste to the town by upturning dustbins.

I strongly condemn the actions of the striking workers who have broken the law several times today.  I have thus appealed to other municipal employees to disclose the names of those persons responsible for the damage and disruption today.  While I am aware employees are fearful of disclosing such information, I am making the opportunity available to them.  See the letter below in this regard.

I will immediately be attempting to lay a charge a charge against SAMWU and its shopstewards for the crimes committed.  The charges are outlined in the second letter below.