The Waterberg belt is on fire as fresh unrest, protest and municipal strike action had been ignited in settlements stretching from Mokopane to Mookgophong the past few days. Whereas escalated turmoil of the recent past has died down in nearby Phagameng in Modimolle, the latest incidents are being characterised by elements of suspected xenophobic tendencies as well as public representatives and mayors being targeted.
Earlier this morning Limpopo Police spokesperson Ronel Otto advised motorists travelling on the R101 through Mokopane to use the N1 highway instead, as protestors were barricading roads around the municipal buildings in the town with vehicles and burning tyres. The action has led to a shutdown of the facility, it was learnt. The Public Order Police (Pops) are on the scene and rubber bullets were fired to disperse the crowds. According to available information two cases were opened after the main entrance to the properties of Mayor Parks Sebatjane and one of the councillors were allegedly damaged.
Elsewhere in Mookgophong 22 arrests had been effected relating to service delivery protests that erupted in the town yesterday as residents demanded the resignation of Mayor Sarah Monyamane, according to Otto. Streets had been barricaded and four structures – including a house belonging to the mayor’s husband – set alight. Police also came under attack when a petrol bomb was hurled at a Police Nyala, she indicated. Reports received last night had alluded to the alleged looting of shops owned by foreign nationals, she said.
From a source in the area it was established that talk of the intention to chase Pakistani nationals from Phomolong had been exchanged among residents of the settlement since the weekend. The source alluded to the fact that Pakistani nationals had vacated Phomolong and fled to what they considered a safe haven in town.
Otto further stated that reports had been received of a man having died of a bullet wound in a local clinic, although it could not be established where the shooting took place. The matter is under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
“The current situation is calm but tense, with only a few roads inside the township blocked. Pops members are deployed.”
In a media statement Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor on the Mogalakwena Council, Korny Dekker, said the party would write to the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Makoma Makhurupetje to seek her urgent intervention in resolving the ongoing chaotic municipal strike with immediate effect. He referred to more than 300 municipal employees downing tools in demand of their salaries being benchmarked as in Gauteng since last week. He said protestors had dumping garbage in the streets and across the mayor’s yard. “They also attempted to set alight the councillor as well as the mayor’s house using the municiality’s anti-waste truck to break through their gates.” According to Dekker the protestors had further vandalised the premises of the municipality’s fire and traffic department.
In conclusion he urged Makhurupetje to get out of her air-conditioned, lavish office and visit the municipality today to address the protestors and normalise the situation.
Story:
YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com
RC Myburgh
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Featured photo: The burning Police Nyala.
