UPDATE: According to a press release by the DA Limpopo: In the past 24 hours a public works department warehouse has been burnt by protesters. This follows four schools having been burnt in Malamulele earlier this week.
Destruction of critical infrastructure such as municipal buildings, schools and roads must be condemned.
The SAPS must defend critical infrastructure from attack, and must protect non-protesting residents.
The DA defends the right of all citizens to protest within the law, but acts of violence and arson in the name of protest must be stopped.
We are also calling on government to speedily resolve the Malamulele problem in order to restore peace and stability.
According to Col Ronél Otto, provincial police spokesperson, a 4th school was set alight in Malamulele on Wednesday. Six classrooms and the principal’s office were set alight at the Khakhanwa high schools. No arrests have been made. This follows a complete shutdown of all services since Monday until Friday. Only police and health officials are allowed to conduct any duties.
The area has been brought to a standstill in recent weeks – with schools and businesses shut following a demand by residents that they be granted their own municipality.
On Friday, the Municipal Demarcation Board’s (MDB) announcement that Malamulele does not qualify for its own municipality in terms of legislation, led to roads being blocked and tyres set alight in protest.
