Protesters run riot in Komani

EFF MP Zolile Xalisa was one of 21 protesters arrested and charged with public violence, malicious damage to property and contravention of the National Road and Traffic Act when a service delivery protest developed into a riot in Komani yesterday.

Angry residents barricaded the N6 and other entrance roads to Mlungisi location and Ezibeleni township in the early hours, calling on cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa to address them.

Taxis were stopped from transporting people to town and others on foot were pursued and had stones thrown at them.

Two community halls – the old and the new Unathi Mkefa halls in Ezibeleni – were set alight and looted by the mobs.

Provincial police spokesman Khaya Tonjeni said 17 females and four males were arrested by police and charged for public violence, malicious damage to property and contravening the National Road and Traffic Act.

Tonjeni said: “A community hall in Ezibeleni was burnt down.

“Police are maintaining a heavy presence in the area and are moving in between the N6 road and the road connecting Cathcart and Whittlesea.”

He said the situation was volatile and police continued to monitor the actions of the protesters.

Komani Residents’ Association secretary Baxolile Masiza said they only had one demand – that the provincial government should place the municipality under administration.

“We want Xasa to come to us with time-frames on when he is putting this municipality under administration,” he said.

He said people have been arrested, some shot at and others even assaulted by the police.

Ezibeleni’s Xolani Ngxathu said residents had sent a petition to Enoch Mgijima mayor Sisisi Tolashe concerning their grievances and had given her seven days to respond.

“We won’t stop this protest until our 21 comrades are released from prison,” he added.

The ANC’s Enoch Mgijiima subregional leadership distanced itself from the protest, blaming it on opposition parties who wanted to score political points.

Municipal spokesman Fundile Feketshane said the council had noted the new developments with dismay.

“We received a number of petitions and in our view the matters that were raised remain resolved. It is therefore reckless for anyone who incites our vulnerable youth, in particular, to destroy the hard-acquired assets for the community’s social and economic development,” he said. —