Following the protest in most parts of KwaGuqa some people were arrested.
Seven of the arrested people appeared in court on Friday, August 25 and all were granted bail of R500 each. The people were protesting about the allocation process at Siyanqoba
A meeting was held trying to resolve the housing allocation issues. The meeting was held on Sunday, August 20 at the Lynnville Stadium and it was addressed by the executive mayor of eMalahleni Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali and Mpumalanga MEC of Human Settlement Mr Speedy Mashilo.
According to the police, the meeting was attended by about 1 500 community members. After the address by the officials they were later held hostage as they could not meet the community demands. The meeting became violent with the police having to intervene by dispersing the crowds and escorting the dignitaries to safety.
Protesters near the court during the appearance of seven who were granted bail of R500 each on Friday, August 25
The protesters said the allocation of houses at Siyaqoba is fraudulent and some of the beneficiaries are not from KwaGuqa.
“We the people of KwaGuqa are not recognised in the allocation of houses and we are always left behind. We have proved that people from Spring Valley, Phola, Masakhane, Old Coronation and other areas outside KwaGuqa are allocated houses. We have decided to occupy those houses because we believe they belong to us,” said one of the leaders.
The people have been occupying those houses since Wednesday, August 16 and they say they have occupied about 600 house. They were served with an eviction court interdict on August 19.
“We are not going anywhere until we occupy our houses again, they must give the people from outside KwaGuqa alternative houses. We have been quiet for a long time now and we are not going to stand and watch people getting houses in our area.”
Protesters near the court during the appearance of seven who were granted bail of R500 each on Friday, August 25
General Zuma said that all people have the right to protest regarding any matter with which they are uncomfortable, but all actions undertaken at any given time during a protest must be within the confines of the law.
“No matter how grave your concerns or how strongly you feel on any particular matter, you simply have no right to destroy property, be it government’s or other people’s property”, said General Zuma.
As the protest continues in some parts of KwaGuqa and the looting continues the issues of housing allocation remains unsolved. It was also reported that the protesters tried to force their way into new houses but they were turned back by the Red Ants.
It was also reported that ANC Regional held a meeting and has resolved to intervene in the matter and resolved that every ward in eMalahleni should be allocated houses.
ALSO READ
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/84405/protest-at-kwaguqa-and-on-the-n4-highway/
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/94104/residents-protest-no-water-weeks/
