Solomondale protesters pushed back

Ten suspects are due to make a court appearance in Mankweng following their arrest for participation in protest action in the Solomondale area, where hundreds of community members have reportedly been making known their dismay with water provision problems since Sunday night and an estimated 5 000 learners have missed out on valuable hours in class.
At the time of going to press the Public Order Policing Unit (Pops) was monitoring the situation and the ten suspects who were arrested were due to appear in court in Mankweng, Provincial Police spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe informed RC Myburgh.
Early yesterday (Wednesday) a source alluded to bouts of stone-throwing and burning of tyres along the stretch of road that led from Solomondale to Mankweng prevailing since Sunday night, a situation that was seemingly brought under control yesterday at about 02:00. Throughout Tuesday a group of 300 to 400 community members who allegedly threatened to set fire to municipal offices in the area while demanding to speak to no one else but Polo­kwane Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng, had to be pushed back repeatedly, the source said. He pointed out that the mayor never showed up to address the community.
In an interview with Barry Viljoen, Polokwane Municipality spokesperson Matshidiso Mothapo explained that a borehole at Sebayeng that supplied water to the area, had been out of operation since two weeks ago but was repaired last Thursday. Last Friday a problem with water provision had occurred again, but was repaired.
At the time there have been threats of unrest brewing among the community. Councillors and officials of Polokwane Municipality attempted to engage the community, but it proved futile, he added.
On Monday night the same delegation had gone to Sebayeng to meet with the community, but the meeting was disrupted by a faction, according to him. Another meeting had been arranged for Tuesday, but was also disrupted by the same grouping, Mothapo pointed out. According to Mothapo the faction had ulterior motives as no water-related problem remained.
Mothapo said there was no need to take to the streets when the municipality operated with an open-door policy. The Executive Mayor’s office was always on the ground to intervene where there were challenges, he assured. “Communities are encouraged to work in harmony with their ward councillors and where there are still challenges the matters should be elevated to the Speaker’s Office.”
In the meantime Democratic Alliance (DA) Provincial Leader Jacques Smalle expressed concern about an estimated 5 000 learners from four to five villages in the area losing out on schooling since Monday. “Education is a basic right. You can’t stop it.”

Story: YOLANDE NEL
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