As many as five people were killed when violence, allegedly between illegal miners (Zama-Zamas) and the community of the Thusanang informal settlement, erupted in Westonaria recently.
Tshidiso Tlharipe, spokesperson for the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) on behalf of the the Office of the ANC Chief Whip and ANC Caucus said in a statement, “We note with shock and sadness the violence that has erupted in the Thusanang informal settlement leading to the death of five people. We are also saddened by the disruption of families that led to women and children being evacuated from the area in fear of further violence and deaths.
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“This violence is against the spirit of our country in building safer communities. We call upon the law-enforcement agencies, in particular the police, to act swiftly and with the urgency it deserves, to avoid further deaths and violence.
We also call upon communities for calm and lawfulness by allowing the police to attend to all these challenges.
“We have being working closely with the relevant authorities to find everlasting solutions for these unfortunate situations in our municipal space, and we salute our internal Public Safety Department for swiftly intervening and trying to restore calm, law and order in the area.
“Since we have faith in our police services, we plead with the Provincial Commissioner, National Commissioner and the Minister to prioritise this area in the interests of justice, law and order.”
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