Chaos in Randfontein during Gauteng Premier’s visit
#MondayMayhemProtest: Stun grenades and rubber bullets fly
While Gauteng Premier David Makhura was delivering his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Greenhills Stadium, the EFF was outside protesting.
Approximately 150 members of the EFF gathered, calling for the arrest of Makhura following the deaths of more than 100 psychiatric patients from Life Esidimeni in the care of fraudulent non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The EFF also carried crosses with them in remembrance of those who had lost their lives in the care of said NGOs.
Some of the members tried to get through the locked Greenhills Stadium gate to get to Makhura in the formal sitting.
To disperse the EFF, police used what seemed to be stun grenades on the sea of red. In addition to this, the police used rubber bullets. The EFF also threw rocks at the police who had restrained one of their female members.
In the SOPA, before Makhura was called to the podium to deliver his speech, the EFF raised three points of privilege on the Life Esidimeni matter. EFF members in the legislature asked for the matter to be addressed before Makhura delivered his update on the province, but the motion was denied by the Speaker.
When it came time for Makhura to speak, he addressed the Esidimeni matter first anyway, and said 60 experts had been appointed to rectify the problems within the Gauteng Department of Health. He said further that he will spend the rest of his term – of which two years are left – working to restore confidence in the public health system.
Makhura denied knowing about the move to outsource mental health although the Democratic Alliance said they can prove the extent of his knowledge of the Esidimeni saga.
A sound clip was sent to us by Quanitta Ackermann, where gunshots could be heard in Randfontein. WARNING: Contains strong language. Listen here:
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
