Protesters should be brought to book

Station commanders from Midrand, Ivory Park and Rabie Ridge, Ivory Park detectives, Metro police, Ward 110 and Ward 80 councillors, community members and Rabie Ridge Residents Association met with Lemao. He said protests in Rabie Ridge were rampant with residents protesting against the lack of service delivery among other issues.

“Police must not hesitate to arrest the people who continue to incite public violence,” he said.

“These people wake up and decide to block roads, forgetting that some people are going to work or to clinics and schools.” Leamo said anyone who wanted to march must get permission from police and march peacefully.

Cluster commander for Tembisa and Alexandra cluster, Major General Vincent Leshabane said police were letting the community down. “Why are police not arresting the people who are known to be causing all the chaos in Rabie Ridge?” he asked.

Ward 110 councillor Steven Lamola said there was a group of residents constantly causing havoc in the ward. “I have spoken to the police about the concerns we have with these protests, he said. “A week ago police intervened when the group also decided to put up an illegal toll gate charging motorists R5 and R10.”

Ward 80 councillor Queen Sikweqa said she knew the names of people inciting violence. “We need police to arrest them, they are disrupting peace in the community,” she said.

Rosie Shobede of the Rabie Ridge Residents Association said the association had a list of names of the people inciting the violence. “We have the perpetrators, police should do something to protect the community.”

A community leader and Ward 110 ANC branch deputy chairperson, Eazy Gaompotse said the community needed better law enforcement. “Police are not doing enough to help us stop the unruly protests and drug problems in the area,” said Gaompotse.

Community members present at the meeting said a school and a clinic had to be closed during the protests on 15 August as protesters threatened violence.

Read our previous story here:

Handful of residents protest in Rabie Ridge