Arrest & Police Assault of Mzonke Poni

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Matt Birkinshaw
Date: 2 Jun 2009 13:31
Subject: Arrest & Police Assault of Mzonke Poni
To: mayor.mayor@capetown.gov.za
Cc: abmwesterncape@abhlali.org


Dear Mayor Plato,

I wish to protest at the treatment of community activist Mzonke Poni,
Chairman of Abahlali baseMjondolo Western Cape, by City of Cape Town
police.

I believe that Mr Poni was detained by police on June 1, "pepper
sprayed in the eyes at point blank range" and badly assualted. Please
could you describe the steps that the City of Cape Town will be taking
to investigate and punish the police perpetrators of the assault?

Please could you also explain why Mr Poni is being charged with public
violence in relation to a land invasion, when trepass is a minor civil
offence?

Are you also aware that since 19 May 2009 City of Cape Town officials
and staff have committed many criminal acts towards the Macassar
Village occupation including demolishing shacks without an order of
the court, demolishing shacks in contempt of court, theft of building
materials, assault, public violence and wrongful arrest. Please could
you inform me what procedures the City will be following in order to
deal with these criminal acts by City employees in their official
capacity?

I am extremely concerned about Mr Poni's situation and the City's
reaction to the land occupation and will be attempting to publicise it
widely.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Matt Birkinshaw