According to Mr Edwin Ngomane, chairperson of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa), the problem started last week when a group of people from Ward 19 (Kanyamazane) invaded Matsafeni demanding to be employed in projects which are taking place in the ward.
The problem of unemployment in communities around Mbombela has resulted in fights over ongoing projects at Ward 14.
This morning the N4 road leading to Matsafeni was barricaded with debris and a truck was burnt while the community demanded answers from the ANC.
It is alleged that the said group disrupted work at the Mpumalanga Fresh Produce Market last week where they demanded employment. They also demand to be included in the construction of the Parliamentary village taking place at Ward 14.
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It is further alleged that the same group of people manhandled the local councillor yesterday, threatening that there will be blood shed if their demands are not adhered to.
“This is when we decided to take action after seeing that we are not safe and the councillor is not safe. The community then agreed to protest this morning and calls for the ANC intervention to the situation, we want peace and order to be maintained in the ward. If the people from Ward 19 wants to be involved in projects taking place at Ward 14 they need to engage the leadership peacefully so and not come to threaten and cause chaos here,” said Ngomane.
Ngomane adds that the community had also lost its trust in the current ANC branch in Ward 14 and wish for the re election of a new structure.
Capt Dawie Pretorius spokesperson for the Nelspruit police said police opened two counts of malicious damage to property, a count of public violence and a count of common robbery. “No arrest had been made in all the cases. Investigations still continue,” he said.
