Cape Town’s Hill-Lewis speaks on Palestine demonstrations – People are allowed to protest

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says he will not cancel future pro-Palestinian and Israeli demonstrations in the city despite growing tensions between supporters and police.

Tensions ran high in Cape Town after a planned prayer rally by Israeli supporters at the Sea Point promenade was disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters at the weekend.

Police used stun grenades and water cannons to disperse the crowd after a scuffle broke out between the counter-protesters and those who gathered in a show of support for Israel.

Hill-Lewis has condemned the violence, adding that both sides inflamed the situation.

“I understand that this is a very divisive time, there’s a huge amount of very heated debate about this around the world. People are allowed to protest. I’ve been under huge pressure to cancel these protests, I will not do that. I think the only thing that could perhaps been improved upon is that when it was clear there was going to be a counter-protest, that there should have been a bigger space made between the two groups and we’ll take that up.”

The mayor has also squashed accusations that police used excessive force on the crowd.

“I’m not going to criticize the police for handling a very complex, very heated, and combative situation and taking firm action at the end of the day to try and protect the rights of people to protest peacefully.”

-EWN

In other news – Trouble in paradise: Zodwa Wabantu reportedly breaks up with her Ben 10, Ricardo

Well-known South African media personality, socialite, and dancer, Zodwa Wabantu and Ricardo have broken up. The two are reportedly separated after dating for three years.

The entertainer has a liking for men who are younger than her, hence she’s been with men 10 to 11 years younger than her. Zodwa has experienced a dirty breakup with her ex-boyfriend, yet she didn’t give up on love. According to Zimoja, Zodwa is single again after dating Ricardo for 3 years. Read More