This afternoon, at around 3:40pm, Midvaal Deputy Mayor, Dennis Ryder and MMC Amelia Tsukudu were petrol bombed while trying to enter discussions with protestors in Sicelo near the R59 highway.
The pair had gone under heavy police protection to try, yet again, to enter into discussions with the protestors after police had warned them against entering the area yesterday afternoon.
While talking to community leaders, who were promising their safety, a petrol bomb was hurled at the police Nyala which had brought them to the scene. Police managed to douse the flames within a few minutes.
This follows an incident earlier in the week when a member of a small group who were en route to discussions with Executive Mayor, Bongani Baloyi, dropped a loaded firearm which he had concealed in his trousers.
The protesters have made it impossible for any constructive discussions through consistent outbreaks of violence and acts of bad faith. The demands of the protestors have also been inconsistent, though the majority indicate housing to be their only demand.
Housing is a Provincial competency and cannot be delivered by the municipality.
Further attempts will be made tomorrow to re-open discussions.
