Mayhem at Civic Centre
"We extend an unconditional apology to affected consumers and municipal employees who were inconvenienced and traumatised by the protest,"
A case of malicious damage to property was opened by the Msukaligwa Local Municipality in Ermelo after its glass doors and windows at the main entrance were broken with stones flung by an angry mob from Nyibe Section last Wednesday.
According to eye witnesses, the group of people stormed the municipal building after demanding to speak to the municipal manager whom they saw just before he walked in and demanded a meeting with him.
Realising that no one was attending to them, they became violent and stormed the main entrance, causing damage estimated at R80 000 and injuring one municipal employee during the scuffle.
Residents of Nyibe said they were tired of waiting for service delivery they had to do without, thus far including housing for their families.
Security back-up and the police were called to control the situation.
Spokesman for the Ermelo Police, Capt Carla Prinsloo, said one person was arrested and charged with malicious damage to property.
Vusi Mwelase (38) appeared in the Ermelo’s Magistrate Court on Monday on two counts of malicious damage to property and his case was postponed to 21 August. He was released from police custody.
Msukaligwa municipal spokesman, Mr Mandla Zwane said inasmuch as the people had a constitutional right to protest, they had to ensure that other people’s rights were not violated.
The municipality condemns in the strongest terms the act of destruction to public or private properties that took place last week.
“We extend an unconditional apology to affected consumers and municipal employees who were inconvenienced and traumatised by the protest,” said Mr Zwane.
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