UPDATE: Talks to calm iSithebe protests fail
Mayor rushed to safety as talks fail to calm protestors
AN urgent public meeting held to discuss issues relating to this week’s violent protests in iSithebe came to an abrupt end this morning.
Talks broke down when officials refused to release more than 100 protestors arrested on Monday.
The individuals were charged with public violence, arson and malicious damage to property.
According to reports from the scene, Mandeni mayor Siphesihle Zulu was escorted to safety as the crowd he was addressing became agitated.
Officials have maintained there will be no negotiation on their release.
Cllr Zulu along with other leaders have moved to a location in Mandeni, where they are meeting behind closed doors to find a resolution.
Dylan Meyrick of IPSS Security has described the situation on the scene as volatile.
Read more here: iSithebe descends into chaos