A group of protesting job-seekers forced the executive mayor of Emalahleni, Cllr Salome Sithole, to flee from a radio station after being trapped on the premises of the municipality.
She was unharmed but traumatised by the event.
The group of protesters said the mayor lied at the radio station and her statement angered them. They said a meeting with the mayor was scheduled for 10:00, but only took place at 13:00 after they allegedly stormed the council chamber.
The group was mainly protesting that the mines should be held accountable to employ more local people. Other issues raised were: learnerships, skills development, student bursaries, housing allocation, tendering in the mines, SMMEs and the mines’ procurement processes and their databases.
“We were surprised that she was in a meeting with councillors and mine representatives discussing our issues without us. She deliberately applied delaying tactics, after that she went on air talking about issues without our mandate. She was hijacking the whole process and wanting all the glory. This is about us and the mine representative, she is only acting as a mediate.”
The group further said they are not fighting with councillors and are not political motivated but their concern is the welfare of the people of eMalahleni.
After the drama at the radio station on Monday, city administrator Mr Theo Van Vuuren arrived and addressed the people.
He said in a meeting facilitated by the municipality on Monday the mentioned issues were raised.
Van Vuuren said that community members indicated their frustration that these issues are not receiving attention.
For three days KwaGuqa was engulfed in fire as some members of the community were protesting.
On Thursday morning, August 7 some people woke up to find that main roads were blocked with burning tyres and rocks and some were prevented from going to work.
Busses carrying workers were prevented from entering and leaving the area. Some workers were ready for work, but stood in groups on street corners waiting for their transport. A bus and two taxis were also stoned.
At the entrance from Ferrobank’s side, protesters had a running battle with the police as they demonstrated and blocked the road. Rubber bullets were fired and protesters fled the scene.
On Friday at about 02:00 the crowd regrouped and blocked the road as the previous day. Four rooms at a hostel in Ackerville were allegedly burned by the group and a hostel dweller was assaulted.
The community indicated their frustration that their issues are not receiving attention, resulting in local people not sufficiently empowered and employed.
“We need the mines to recognise that there are different categories of people within our community, skilled and non-skilled. The mines must come out clear about how they hope to develop skills of our people. Presently they employ about 30% and outsource 70% – we want to change that. They need to employ 70% local people and outsource 30%. They need also to come out clear about their social development plan and their social labour plan. We need transparency about their plans. We need transparency on how they spend their budget on community projects.”
The group wants to have representatives on mine recruitment committees, who should report back to community forums.
“A process of engagement with the mines and other industries has been agreed upon in principle to seek joint sustainable solutions to issues raised. However the events of last night (Monday night at the radio station) show that there is a high level of frustration on these issues making the process going forward difficult. However, the municipality and mines have committed themselves to continue working towards a solution,” said Van Vuuren.
“The police are on standby and will act as may be required. Everyone is cautioned to be on the alert and to be careful. I have also withdrawn municipal teams from the area and we are experiencing backlogs been formed on electricity, water and waste issues as a result. The matter has been escalated to the highest levels for support to be resolved. For those affected by these events please remain calm and be assured that as municipality we will try to work out a solution for both short and the longer term issues at stake,” said Van Vuuren.
Police reported that two vehicles were reportedly damaged and two foreign shops were looted and damaged.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) also responded to the unrest.
“It has come to the attention of the DA that the violent protests in Ackerville, that took place on Thursday and Friday are as a result of the community allegedly being unhappy over recruitment processes in the greater Witbank mining area.
“Furthermore, it is alleged that a group called ‘the Concerned Group’ convened a meeting during the past few days wherein the decision to blockade all main access roads in Ackerville was taken. This matter has unfortunately led to unruly protests and at 04:00 all entrance and exit routes to Ackerville were blocked, rubbish bins upended and tyres burnt in the streets.
“It is unfortunate that as a result of this protest, violence was threatened and people were prevented from reaching their place of work. People have the right to strike, but violence cannot be tolerated. In the face of the current unemployment rate, job losses cannot be tolerated.
“The DA would like to commend the SAPS on their swift action in attending to this unfortunate incident. We trust that they will keep up with their strong vigilance in this area.”
