POLOKWANE – “No negotiations will be done until our leaders are out of jail.” These are the words of Sarel Martin, who addressed the Westenburg community during a meeting with Executive Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng.
Residents gathered at the Westenburg Community Hall following two days of violent protests in the area over lack of service delivery by the Polokwane Municipality.
Read more: [WATCH] Live scenes from the Westenburg protest
Martin, who spoke on behalf of Westenburg Community Development Forum Chairperson, Ray Goulkan, asked residents to come together in bailing their ‘leaders’ out of jail adding that they took rubber bullets in trying to save their community.
“Even if it means taking money out of our pockets to go bail them out, even if it’s just R2 from each one of us, let’s do so,” Martin said.
Goulkan was arrested during the protests.
Before the initial meeting began, Pastor Yasien Omar from Westenburg prayed for a peaceful conclusion and resolution to the issue the community is currently facing .
Martin advised all residents to vacate the hall until they release their fellow leaders.
A meeting will be scheduled when that happens.
