The City of Cape Town has received backlash over its decision to paint over a mural of a Palestinian flag that was put up in the area of Lavender Hill.
Residents in the area took to social media on Tuesday, posting videos of City
employees, attached to the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), covering the
mural under the watchful eye of several law enforcement officers.
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SCREENSHOTMany on social media
criticised the municipality for responding quickly to removing a mural, but are
not hasty to respond to gang violence and other crime-related matters.
Lavender Hill is a Red Zone - people die waiting for paramedics and they never see cops like this. Imagine you see a hoard of law enforcement and it's to PAINT OVER A PALESTINIAN FLAG? the lack of respect for this community disgusts me. https://t.co/uzMwqXZ5U8
— bring back yearning 🫶🏽😘 (@communalgenus) January 10, 2024
Responding to social media posts, the City of Cape Town
said community members responsible for the mural have agreed to apply for
permission to have the mural reinstalled on the public building, following an
engagement with Graffiti Unit officials.
‘’The City of Cape Town encourages the public to use the
available permit processes for public art and murals. The City has enabling
laws for freedom of expression by way of mural or art installation. The issue
of public art and murals has been in the spotlight recently, amid the
installation of various murals. There have been instances where Law Enforcement
has been unfairly criticised and the City's regulations around public art
misrepresented,’’ said JP Smith, Mayco Member for Safety & Security.
Smith said there are 31 murals across the metro that has
been approved since May 2023. According to the MMC, where murals have been
found to be unsanctioned, engagement with community members have taken place to
explain the processes and guide them on how to regularise these installations.
‘’The City is duty-bound to respond to complaints from the
public about potential by-law transgressions... It is important to note that,
even where the installation is on private property, an application is still
required.’’
Smith said the Graffiiti unit focuses mainly on City-owned buildings, as, in terms of the by-law, private property owners are responsible for clearing graffiti on their property.
‘’The City removes graffiti daily when there is no permission
granted by the owner of the asset on public property (such as roads, housing,
etc.) and when no permission has been issued by Arts & Culture.
‘’ The City of Cape Town's regulations enable freedom of
expression where people wish to paint a mural to show their support for a
cause. The permitting process further ensures the sustainable management of
public buildings and places for all,’’ added JP Smith, Mayco Member
for Safety & Security.
I paint what I like (with apologies to #Biko) - #lavenderhill #capetown #butisitart pic.twitter.com/2cEFopbeug
Smith encouraged anyone who wishes to erect a mural or any form of graffiti, to apply for permission from the City's Department of Arts and Culture, as outlined in the Graffiti by-law: http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Graffiti%20By-law%202010.pdf
Done By: Mitchum George
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