For a week the quiet town of Ga-Nala erupted into violence and havoc as residents were unhappy about employment policies by local mines and power stations.
On Tuesday, September 16 a resident confirmed that the riots have stopped.
“The police are still patrolling around town making sure that more riots don’t break out,” said one protestor.
On Friday, September 12 mine employees were evicted out of their homes and left on the streets for the weekend until the issue was resolved on Monday morning, September 15.
The Provincial Management of the police in Mpumalanga expressed their concern over the violent protest that was taking place at Thubelihle.
The protest, which started on Sunday, September 7, resulted in one traffic police vehicle being torched, a supermarket burnt down and few shops looted.
Eight people have been arrested and appeared before Kriel Magistrate’s Court for public violence. All the suspects were released on warning and the case was postponed to September 29, pending further investigation.
Democratic Alliance sent out a press release: ‘Unemployment pushing the boundaries of civility in Ga-Nala’.
They say:
Violent protests have erupted in the town of Kriel over the past few days. These protests have allegedly erupted as a result of escalating unemployment in the area and the employment practices of local companies.
The DA respects the constitutional right of every South African citizen to protest on any matter they wish. In exercising their right to protest, angry community members cannot conduct themselves in a manner that infringes upon the constitutional rights of other citizens.
The DA condemns violent protest in all its forms; the behaviour of these protestors is unacceptable in a democratic society and is counter-productive to their cause.
Protesting residents need to understand that the irony in their actions is that as they damage public property or businesses they are, in fact, destroying jobs, while claiming to be protesting for their creation. Youth unemployment in Emalahleni is at 36% and as long as government fails to implement the youth wage subsidy and other job creating mechanisms, such protest action is bound to recur.
The DA has contacted the SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Thulani Ntobela, urging him to ensure that additional police back-up is deployed to the area in order to bring the situation under control and return stability to the town of Ga-Nala.
I am just irritated about the illiterate people of Emalahleni, with their strikes etc…for youth unemployment, it makes no sense hence most of the youth don’t want to complete school, their main focus is alcohol,drugs,baby making nyaope etc…they have all the resource to educate them at Emalahleni but they don’t use it. for crying out loud, in that 36% job many of them have CV not to mention qualifications or matric.
I for one I am from Emalahleni and as a business owner, I have employed the so called youth but come pay day, they won’t pitch the next day. I took a risk of employing them with no skills just for making a difference and what does one get in return, absenteeism mainly after getting paid.
Misuse of company resources, coming to work under the influence of alcohol, pregnancy left right and centre.
The youth of Emalahleni must just man up and be educated. Their are many jobs out there.
Theory of ignorance has to change their mindset.