Human Rights Day ends in destruction in MacKenzieville

They were promised that Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s MMC for Human Settlements would address their concerns relating to the housing project in Extension 2 of MacKenzieville where 600 new homes were due to be handed over in 2017, but when Cllr Lesiba Mpya did not show up, the community decided to take matters into their own hands.

On March 21 scores of Alrapark and MacKenzieville residents blocked off the entrances to their neighbourhoods and marched to the incomplete housing project where they demanded an official response from government.

Initially the protest only had an effect on the flow of traffic in the area. Tyres were burnt at the entrances. As the protesters grew impatient, they started looting and destroying public property.
During the morning of March 22 a satellite police station in Alrapark was torched while there were also attempts to loot the Alrapark Clinic.

Also read -> Watch: Alra Park Police Station up in flames

Public order police were deployed – a police helicopter Nyala were present in these neighbourhoods – and although they managed to restore order, it did not stop the angry mob from burning down the Almac Development Centre.

The official number of people who were arrested for public violence is not clear. While the police said in a statement that  46 suspects (31 men and 15 women) were supposed to appear in the Nigel Magistrates Court on March 25, community members told HERAUT that at least 70 persons were placed under arrest.

These same informants made it known that although there was a “ceasefire” at the weekend, they would continue to make the area ungovernable until their demands were met.

‘’I phoned the MEC and he just makes promises and he says there is no money because they stole the money,” community leader Ashley Crotz said the day before the protests turned violent. “We have waited long enough and demand what was promised to us or the protesting will go on,’’ he added.

Another resident, June Dlamini said: ‘’My house was taken as the number I was given is not on the beneficiary list, they (the government officials) are selling the houses to their people.”

Many of the protestors said that they would abstain from voting in the upcoming elections.

‘’I won’t vote the government is corrupt,’’ said Beaulah Fortuin.

Apart from the fact that none of the 600 houses have been provided with water and electricity, it has become apparent that building regulations have not been followed as the houses have been built too close to each other.

Looting of the houses has become the norm and residents have started breaking out doors and windows at the incomplete project.

“We need someone to restore order,” said disgruntled resident Marry-Gale Present.

“We have no house, no toilet, no water and no electricity. We have been promised that this will change. We have been waiting since 1994. How much longer must we suffer for?’’.

Also read -> ANCF youth members protest at Vopak over high unemployment rate

Meanwhile the National Commissioner of Police, General Khehla Sitole on March 22 strongly condemned the attack on the Alrapark police station, stating that the actions of the community had done nothing more than disadvantage the entire community of essential policing.

“I am urging the discontented community members, especially community leaders, to come together and work hard towards resolving their dissatisfaction through consultation and negotiations instead of violence.

Vandalising and burning state property should be condemned by all sectors of society,” General  Sithole said in a statement.

“I am urging all members of the Alra Park community and surrounding areas to remain calm and co-operate with police.

“In the meantime I have directed that those who are responsible for setting the satellite police station alight, must be identified and brought to book as soon as possible,” Sitole said.

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