The Steve Tshwete Municipality strongly condemns the violent and intimidation actions of members of the community in the Town of Middelburg which took place yesterday January 14.
The Municipality says it is extremely disturbed by what they referred to as mindless trashing of the streets in town, overturning of dustbins, scattering of refuse, burning of buses and tyres that occurred during the illegal protests by members of the community since Wednesday.
According to the Municipality, these acts have a negative impact on the community and not only encroach on their right to a safe and healthy environment, but also on their right of freedom of movement.
“While the Municipality upholds the Constitutional right of the people to voice their grievances through mass action, it cannot allow its employees, residents and the business community to become victims of violence and intimidation,” said Executive Mayor for the Steve Tshwete Municipality, Cllr Mike Masina.
In a meeting with the community on Wednesday, the Executive Mayor has appealed to the leadership and community members of the concern group to refrain from any act of intimidation or lawlessness whilst exercising their right to protest.
“The intimidation accompanying the current protests has now exceeded the boundaries of acceptable behavior. The Municipality is faced with no alternative but to ensure that Law enforcement agencies will be deployed to monitor their actions. The Municipality would like to apologize to the public for any inconvenience caused,” he concluded.
