Bonaphi Xakeka from Bloekombos said he suffered a bruised mouth and swelling to his head after his bakkie came under a barrage of stones.
Image: Video screenshot
In the wake of recent anti-illegal immigration protests in Bloekombos, a Kraaifontein grass cutter's livelihood has been threatened after he came under attack leaving him unable to afford food after his bakkie was damaged.
Bonaphi Xakeka, 60, said his day began like any other on Tuesday, June 30. He left his home in Bloekombos at around 6am to travel to a job in Welgemoed, unaware of the ordeal that awaited him on his return.
The day coincided with a deadline set by the March and March movement and affiliated groups, which had called on undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
Xakeka said the roads were quiet when he left for work that morning.
However, when he returned home at about 5pm, he drove into an area where a group of predominantly young people was allegedly throwing stones at passing vehicles near the traffic circle by Bloekombos Secondary School.
"I passed the first traffic circle and saw a police van. Everything seemed quiet. When I got to the second traffic circle, I suddenly heard a stone hit my bakkie. The minibus taxi behind me sped past. I think the driver realised people were throwing stones and decided not to stop," he recalls.
Xakeka said pulling onto the gravel shoulder near the high school proved to be a detrimental decision. He said the group then approached his vehicle and repeatedly threw stones at it until a young entrepreneur from the area intervened and calmed the crowd.
He said he suffered bruising to his mouth and swelling to his head during the incident.
"If that young man hadn't come to my rescue, I wouldn't be speaking to you today. I don't understand why I was attacked because no one said people must not go to work," Xakeka said.
He used his last savings to take the vehicle to the panel beater that cost him R6 200 to fix the windscreen and windows of the vehicle.
A Kraaifontein grass cutter says he has been left unable to afford food after his bakkie was damaged during unrest allegedly linked to anti-illegal immigration protests in Bloekombos.
Image: Supplied
Xakeka said he exhausted his savings before he could repair the damaged headlight and dents in the vehicle. He did not open a case with the police.
"Now we will live without food at home because I spent all my savings. If no client calls me, there is no work because I'm a grass cutter. I wait for people to phone me when they need my services," he said.
Bloekombos community leader Linda Phito said several motorists reported their vehicles being damaged by stone-throwing incidents that day.
"It is heartbreaking that Kraaifontein is becoming a place associated with violence and crime, especially crimes committed by children," he said.
"These are the people who are supposed to become our future leaders. Adults must stop using children to commit crimes."
Phito called for increased law enforcement visibility, saying authorities should consider escorting motorists if further demonstrations take place.
"We have heard that March and March plans to hold weekly protests on Thursdays, so law enforcement must be prepared," he said.
Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town said there were no major incidents linked to the anti-illegal immigration protests.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said enforcement services had responded to several criminal incidents involving foreign-owned businesses in Delft, Gugulethu, Hanover Park and Mfuleni.
“These were isolated incidents, and thanks to the swift response of enforcement agencies, at least 13 arrests were made for public violence and malicious property damage,” said Smith.