Masiphumelele calm after residents’ rampage

‘People have gone to work, and those who are unemployed have gone to look for work’

MASIPHUMELELE, near Kommetjie, was calm yesterday following close to a month of unrest in which residents blocked roads with burning tires during protests against, among other things, the arrest on a number of charges – including murder – of community leader Lubabalo Vellem.

On Monday, about a 1 000 residents marched more than 16km to the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court to support Vellem during his bail application.

Vellem, 35, who faces charges of murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and public vio- lence, was released on R5 000 bail with strict conditions.

The murder charge relates to the death of a 32-year-old man, accused of murdering a 15-yearold youth in a mob vigilante attack in September.

Residents went on the rampage after Vellem’s arrest, burning tyres and blocking roads with rubbish and rubble.

Police spokesperson Freder- ick van Wyk said measures had been put in place following the tense stand-off between residents and police on Monday.

He said: “Our members are in the area, monitoring the situation.” But he added that everything was calm.

Masiphumelele Youth Development Forum chairperson Lunga Mathambo said: “People have gone to work, and those who are unemployed have gone to look for work. Pupils are back at school and it is business as usual.”

He said the community would meet on Saturday to discuss which government departments to approach for assistance.

“We first need to identify how many young people with skills are unemployed but are not getting help.” Once this is done, the best approach might be to ask businesses in and around Masi (Masiphumelele) to give a helping hand, he said.

“If we do not try to help ourselves, no one else will,” Mathambo said. sandiso.phaliso@inl.co.za

@PhalisoSandiso