The Iziko Lobomi community centre has been a beacon of hope for many in Imizamo Yethu, but now a dark cloud hangs over it with accusations that an unregistered organisation is using threatening tactics to stop others from using it.
Ward councillor Roberto Quintas says he has been informed of “very serious allegations” against the Imizamo Yethu Development Forum (IYDF), which has been accused of “extorting, harassing, victimising and intimidating” the Hout Bay Association for Persons with Disabilities (Hout Bay APD), the Sijonga Phambili Adult Learning Centre and others who use Iziko Lobomi community centre.
Noting that the allegations are of a “criminal nature”, he has advised the affected parties to lay charges.
Community leader Kenny Tokwe said the IYDF’s “threatening and intimidating” behaviour had scuppered the Hout Bay APD’s plans for a resource centre that would run workshops for the disabled.
And a sewing project, which catered for unemployed women in the community, had also had to end.
“That project has been stopped by the IYDF for no reason,” he said.
“The IYDF is not even a registered structure. If they want development projects, they must work on funding proposals and send them to donors, but they cannot just try and hijack the existing projects. It’s not right,” Mr Tokwe said.
“The Iziko Lobomi community centre – the Centre of Life – is not a friendly centre any longer and not welcoming. It has rather lost the touch of igniting the ‘essence of belonging’.“
A Hout Bay APD member, who did not want to be named for safety reasons, said the organisation had been building a new workshop alongside the Iziko Lobomi centre when the IYDF had intervened earlier this year, demanding that they stop.
The workshop had been destined to be used by people with disabilities in the community, she said.
Mr Quintas said the IYDF had been accused of demanding protection money and employment for its members from others using the centre.
“I can neither confirm nor deny the veracity of the allegations but will say that they are alarming and are indeed coming from multiple sources whose identities understandably cannot be divulged.”
Extortion and threats were criminal and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms and rooted out, he said.
“Especially when they allegedly rob communities of facilities that develop, nurture and uplift those who are most in need,” Mr Quintas said.
The IYDF is made up of more than 20 street or “block” committees that meet every Wednesday.
One of the forum’s executive committee members, Loyiso Skoti, said the IYDF was asking for “transparency and openness” on how the centre was being used.
“Everyone is free and welcome to engage with the IY community,” he said.
“Community members that are wanting to use community spaces freely, it cannot be termed ‘extortion’, because Iziko Lobomi needs to serve the community it is located in.”
He said that following a meeting last month, the IYDF had agreed to allow some of the programmes at the centre to continue, but a further meeting was needed before that could happen.
Hout Bay police chief Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Syster confirmed that no cases had been lodged with the police, but he was aware of the matter unfolding around the centre.
“I have been informed about these allegations, but nothing has been reported, and there are no cases. If people do have concerns, they need to come forward and open cases,” he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Syster said he had held talks recently with all affected parties, but none of the allegations had been raised.
“I informed everybody that if there are any allegations, they need to come to the station because the police cannot act on allegations, only registered cases,” he said.
