Westonaria Executive Mayor Nonkoliso Tundzi together with the officials in her office were nearly attacked by an angry crowd outside Ipeleng Primary School in Bekkersdal on 17 January.
This was during Tundzi’s back to school campaign where she was expected to hand out school uniforms to disadvantaged pupils at the school and assess the school’s readiness for this academic year.
According to witnesses at the scene, a crowd of more than 50 people gathered outside the school and prevented Tundzi from entering the school.
“People are still angry and they will continue to display their anger at every chance they get,” says one resident who wishes not to be named.
“We are still walking over sewage.
“We are still without adequate housing, water and electricity, so basically our problems are far from being over.
“She mustn’t think that these back to school campaigns will better the situation here in Bekkersdal because they will not,” says the resident.
Meanwhile, Tundzi has slammed such disruptions and says that it was uncalled for and that they had to leave the school before things got out of hand.
“We had no choice but to leave the school without carrying out our duties for the day.
“Had we tried to talk our way into the school, it could have led to further disruptions and that is not what we wanted.
“We may have differences with residents of Bekkersdal but let’s not allow emotions to take precedence over education,” says Tundzi.
