Cape Argus E-dition

Tensions rise in Sea Point

VELANI LUDIDI velani.ludidi@inl.co.za

TENSIONS are approaching boiling point in one of Cape Town’s wealthiest suburbs as a group of powerful and wealthy men are accused of promoting anti-homeless, anti-poor and sexist attitudes.

These men allegedly include billionaire businessman Rob Hersov, Paul Jacobson and lawyer Gary Trappler.

They are accused of abusing courts to intimidate and victimise anyone who tries to stand in their path. Their alleged victims are mostly women who are now fearing for their lives.

The Weekend Argus has learnt that there was an alleged “hit list” circulating of the people who are deemed to be against this group’s agenda and are to be “destroyed”.

“Whilst I do not believe this to be a physical threat against them it is certainly about ruining their reputation, business, families, etc,” said a Sea Point resident.

Thandi Mgwaba, a black woman who lived in the area, had to leave after her car’s tyres were allegedly slashed by Trappler. Although she lost the case, she still believes justice was not served.

“There was CCTV footage that shows everything that happened. Following the incident, lily flowers were left on my doorstep and I became scared so I left,” she said.

A woman who claims to have also been targeted said this group of men wanted to make the area exclusive to a single ethnic group.

“If you argue against their stance on social media they threaten to visit you, they weaponise the legal system and use

it to intimidate people.

“Anyone who looks for ways to assist homeless people feels their wrath,” she said.

Jacobson is allegedly being supported by Hersov in his bid to run for ward councillor under the banner of the Freedom Front Plus.

“I have spoken to different political parties and so far the Freedom Front Plus

seems to be on the same page as me. I am not anti-poor, I want to assist them but homeless people cannot be allowed to vote in local government otherwise they will be shipped from somewhere to come and vote.

“They do not have a permanent residential address, they can vote on national and provincial elections, not local,” said Jacobson.

He said there were people who did not like him, including local councillor Nicola Jowell.

He also admitted to being part of the group and that it included influential and business people like magistrates and senior counsel.

“We do not tolerate vigilantism and racism in that group.”

Hersov did not comment when asked about the allegations.

“Go to Havens and ask who gives the money for the shelter. You have a non-story there,” he said.

Trappler said homeless people on the Atlantic seaboard should not be fed.

“Residents and ratepayers must not give irresponsibly to vagrants. It makes life comfortable for them and if they are comfortable they will not go to shelters.

Vagrants on the Atlantic seaboard are living good. I am not anti-poor, I am anti-government,” he said.

“I am a member of the smubty group and we comprise hundreds of influential businessmen, academics and professionals who believe in capitalism, a free market non-racial economy and we are all strongly anti-ANC and anti-leftist.

“Many of us also see the Western Cape independence as the only way of becoming disassociated with the ANC. We argue that homelessness will become non-existent under a free and independent Western Cape and that standards of living for all will dramatically improve under a free and independent economy and country. Homeless people in the province are victims of poor national governance. Homelessness exists because the Western Cape is not free.”

Jowell said she was aware of a number of individuals in the community who had issued threats against other residents and organisations.

“And a number of people have been taken to court for speaking out against these individuals. Although I have not been immune from these comments nor threats, I will not stop the work that I am doing in the ward on behalf of all the residents and up till now have chosen not to be drawn into legal battles despite the defamatory and untrue statements that have been said about me.

“Whilst residents are entitled to their opinions it cannot be that we can tolerate an environment where others are bullied and threatened for expressing theirs,” she said.

ANC leader Cameron Dugmore said: “This is about sexism, racism and brutally anti-poor attitudes. These purveyors of hate will not succeed.”

METRO

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2021-07-31T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-31T07:00:00.0000000Z

http://capeargus.pressreader.com/article/281578063702532

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