Cape communities have responded with outrage after the City’s law enforcement officials painted over a mural of the Palestine flag in Lavender Hill. Some have criticised the City of Cape Town for not taking the same action when gangs spray paint their logos or insignia on council property.

The City’s by-laws state that communities or residents first need to apply to have murals painted on their property, or on council buildings. It has since told Radio 786 that those behind the Lavender Hill mural have agreed to follow this process to have the Palestine flag repainted on the block of flats.

There has been growing concerns in Cape Town that the DA-led local government is specifically targeting murals showing solidarity with Palestine. The City denies this claim.