Azra Hoosen | azrah@radioislam.co.za
22nd January 2024 | 19:00 CAT
2 min read

The DA-led City of Cape Town has faced criticism for removing the Palestinian flag mural in Lavender Hill, whilst residents said gang-related graffiti had persisted across the Cape Flats without being removed for years.

Meanwhile, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and African Artists Against Apartheid (AAAA) have condemned the City of Cape Town’s removal of Palestinian flag murals in communities that had experienced the brunt of South Africa’s legacy of apartheid and forced removals.

Lavender Hill residents painted the Palestinian flag across their property to show solidarity with Palestine. In an attempt to merely show support and raise awareness of Palestine, CoTC workers painted over it to erase the mural, as the residents apparently do not have permission to paint on ‘public property’.

The decision was met with public outrage. Residents reminded the Cape Town council of their right to freedom of expression. Several people took to social media to express their frustration, questioning how graffiti, gang signs, and names are left on public buildings, but very quickly the Palestinian flag was painted over. The city of Cape Town council has not commented further.

According to a video that went viral on social media, CoCT workers can be seen painting over the mural, with law enforcement officers nearby.

Moeshfika Botha, the woman who originally posted the video, commented online: “But they cannot send them to ordinarily paint the Flats to keep them clean or send law enforcement to PROTECT the people. They will leave the gangster’s graffiti! But they want the Palestine flag down.”

The council believes that law enforcement was unfairly criticised and the city’s regulations were misrepresented. They insist that anyone wishing to do any form of public art must seek permission from the city’s Department of Arts and Culture.

SA Politician Simon Grindrod said, “The same DA council that lit up the city hall like a Christmas tree in the Ukrainian flag colours, now paints over the Palestinian flag with a rapid response team.”

Leader of the Al-Jamah party, Ganief Hendriks, told Radio Islam that the painting over the Palestinian flag was a spontaneous reaction. “Nothing is done about gangsterism and graffiti, and the DA does not implement the same by-law on their own properties. The party is seen as a Zionist police state in Cape Town. There are many Muslims who are DA members, and they are now under pressure. This kind of reaction has shown that the DA is setting the scene for a Zionist police state, and if they win the elections again they will be able to enforce such by-laws and more,” said Hendriks.

Hendriks believes the DA will likely lose a lot of support from the Muslim community as the people of Cape Town are calling for a new humanitarian civilisation which upholds the right values. “There are plans to remove the DA from the Western Cape. People have identified the DA is part of the civilisation that is created by the West,” he added.

Meanwhile, the PSC (Palestine Solidarity Campaign) plans to consult with these communities about restoring these Palestinian murals on their homes and will campaign against the City’s removal of these acts of solidarity.

LISTEN to the full interview with Haafiz Ebrahim Moosa and Al-Jamah party leader, Ganief Hendriks, here.