Ladysmith KZN: Premier calls for calmness as violent protests escalate throughout the province
Vehicles were reportedly stoned and infrastructure damaged
Yesterday (July 9), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) experienced a terrible series of protests around the province; in Ladysmith as well. It is believed that those behind the protests are people who are opposed to the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma. Several vehicles were reportedly stoned and millions of rands worth of public infrastructure was damaged.
Addressing the situation, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala issued a media statement whereby he called for discipline and for protesters to express their anger through legitimate and peaceful platforms.
“We understand the extreme anger of the people who are protesting. As a country and province, we find ourselves in a very unusual and unique situation wherein we are dealing with the arrest of a former president of the ANC and the country. We are therefore dealing with very challenging times. However, we call on those who are protesting to do so through peaceful means and to avoid violence and destruction at all costs,” said Premier Zikalala.
Also read: Concern as Uthukela District records high numbers of Covid-19 cases
The premier also warned about the impact of illegal gatherings under Adjusted Level-4 Lockdown in that they could result in further Covid-19 infections. Health experts have warned that the rate of infection in the province has now hit double digits in the majority of the districts.
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