Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) supporters picketed in Tokai on Thursday. They are making allegations of racism at the centre. They are protesting against the alleged poisoning of the fruit tree. They want to alert the government that "black and coloured children were picking fruit", said EFF spokesperson Wandile Kasibe. The tree, which towers over the wall of a house on Myrtle Street, is believed to have been poisoned. A neighbouring homeowner has asked for it to be cut down. He prefers to keep "unwanted people out of the neighborhood," Kasibe said.

The children are all at risk from the poisoning

"This is the highest form of racism: poisoning trees to prevent black children from eating them. It is deliberately putting the lives of these children at risk. South Africa has a history of food poisoning in black areas under apartheid," Kasibe added.

According to sources, the landowner allowed passers-by to pick fruit from the trees on the edge of his property. He reportedly said that neighbours had complained that this had attracted "the wrong kind of people" to the area. That's why they encouraged him to poison his trees.

A series of acts of vandalism had killed trees on his property. One of them was a guava tree in November last year.

Sergeant Deidre Solomon, spokesperson for the Kirstenhof Police, confirmed that the matter had been reported. She said a case of malicious damage to property and theft had been recorded, but the case had since been withdrawn. Councillor Penny East said the matter was first raised last year after signs appeared on the wall of the Myrtle Street house.

Anonymous threats

The sign, which claimed the tree had been poisoned, was later removed. According to Mr Kasibe, the owner of the tree had received anonymous threats. He also said councillors and the City of Cape Town had not addressed the issue, although it had been brought to their attention.

Mr East said the allegations of poisoning were never reported to the City of Cape Town, and there was no official record of any complaint being made.

MamP's

© Photo Credits : SABC News

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