Unrest in the Mankweng area has rippled outward to Mentz as community members are engaged in protest action that has flared up last night. This time round discontent is brewing over water shortages the past two years as opposed to reported demands for the scrapping of arrears in municipal bills that led to protests in nearby Mankweng, Polokwane Observer learnt.
Police presence dominated along the stretch of road between Mankweng and Mentz that lay scattered with rocks, stones, burnt remnants and even the left-over of a road sign by mid –morning. Rubber bullets were flying in two separate incidents, the last seemingly provoked by youngsters from the community hurling stones at a Police Nyala from boulders along the main road.
According to information an elderly woman, who is a cook at a local school, and a young schoolgirl were allegedly hit in the crossfire while both were on the way home earlier this morning.
On the scene community members informed Polokwane Observer that they were in the process of forming a committee to represent the community in negotiations with the municipality.
Story:
YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com
RC Myburgh
>>rc.observer@gmail.com
Featured photo: Police fire rubber bullets at a community member taking cover below boulders in Mentz outside Mankweng.
