MARCH ON ICE … FOR NOW ‘Leave us out of political battle’

WHILE the city remains on tenterhooks, the much anticipated “mother of all shutdowns” is expected to only take place tomorrow, with community members demanding that Sol Plaatje executive mayor Mangaliso Matika step down.

Sol Plaatje spokesperson, Sello Matsie, stated yesterday that no protest march would take place today.

“All municipal services will continue as normal and so should other activities such as schooling and business. No permission has been granted yet for any protest march to the municipality. We further would like to indicate that an application consistent with the gatherings act was being considered by the relevant stakeholders. Should any permission be granted, the public will be informed timeously with all details and conditions of approval,” said Matsie.

Meanwhile police spokesperson, Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba, said that the police were ready for any eventuality.

“The police will monitor the march on Thursday and are ready to manage any situation. By all indications it will be a peaceful march, unless there are other illegal elements that come into play. We are not aware of any illegal march activities that will take place tomorrow (today).”

Speaking on behalf of concerned Sol Plaatje residents and ratepayers, Tumelo Mosikare said that tomorrow’s planned march was still pending approval.

“Meetings were held with the security cluster yesterday, where it was indicated that they needed 48 hours notice, as our application was submitted on Monday. We also had to provide the list of the names of 500 marshals, where some of their identity numbers were not readily available,” said Mosikare.

He added that the march organisers had also met with various heads of departments yesterday as they required information regarding the march.

“It was agreed that there will be a single meeting point where the march will then proceed to the civic centre. We urge everyone involved to be peaceful. We will resume the fight in a civilised and proper manner.”

SAPS management meanwhile refuted claims on social media that the police were in cahoots with the ANC and municipality to disrupt the community meeting that was held in Galeshewe on Sunday.

Ramatseba stated that not only did these rumours defame the organisation and the provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Risimati Peter Shivuri, but that it also sowed panic and distrust among the public. AS THE city braces for more protest action, schools in Kimberley will be open today despite messages circulating on social media about an indefinite city-wide shutdown.

Some taxi associations also indicated that they will be operating despite the possibility that the city might come to a standstill.

Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe, confirmed yesterday that city schools would be open today, but he added that pupils might be dismissed early if their safety is at risk.

“The department can confirm that schools in the Kimberley area will remain open in the midst of rumours of possible protest action. We urge parents and educators to exercise caution, use their own discretion and make a judgement based on the situation they might be confronted with on the day. The department will not hesitate to dismiss schools early if indeed the safety of educators and pupils are at risk,” said Van der Merwe.

He urged protesters not to disrupt teaching at schools.

“We further appeal to the public to allow our educators and pupils access to education so that they can continue to teach and learn. It is of great concern to us that educators and pupils must teach and learn under these difficult circumstances. This is the shortest term of the school academic year and it is very important that the curriculum is covered. We are continuously engaging the SAPS to update us on the latest information available.”

The chairperson of Thusano Taxi Association, Xolisile Qalinge, said that the matter was frustrating and an inconvenience to taxi operators.

He said that taxis from Galeshewe will be operating as normal as operators are losing income if they do not work.

“Our members are losing a lot of money by losing out on one day’s work. The march organisers know that they have their permanent jobs and can go to the doctor and get a sick note in order to get their full salaries at the end of the month. We do not get any salaries as this is the only income we have,” said Qalinge.

“During the last shutdown, the organisers promised they will not blockade the roads, however they did not stick to that promise and some marchers stoned the vehicles of some operators. If they want to stop us again, they can do so but it will be a normal working day for us.”

Qalinge said that the march organisers are unnecessarily involving community members in their personal grievances.

“This matter has turned into a political matter. We as normal citizens and workers are being involved in matters that do not concern us. It is now a matter between the mayor, his supporters and those calling for his resignation. We are not in alliance with the mayor or the organisers of the march. Why are they making us part and parcel of their issues?

“If the marchers want to demonstrate and march, they have got the right to do so. They can march to the municipality, but they do not need to interfere with people who are working or school operations.

“The march can be peaceful and marchers can disperse in a peaceful manner. There is no need to make the entire city come to standstill just because of the unhappiness of some individuals. This shutdown has a negative impact not only on taxi operators but the economy of the entire city,” said Qalinge.

The chairperson of the Kimberley Taxi Association (KTA), Shaun Wilkinson, said that KTA members will, however, not take the risk of operating.

“We cannot operate, even if we want to we are prevented from doing so. There are also no commuters to transport as people have decided to stay away. This has a huge financial impact on operators as some are solely reliable from the income they make from operating. There is no business that can survive on losing days of income,” said Wilkinson.

“This will end up in fighting as many people are already badly affected by this march. The march organisers will have to sort this matter out amongst themselves … but this is affecting everyone.”

The Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce (Nocci) has meanwhile slammed law enforcement and the Sol Plaatje Municipality for not having contingency plans in place to protect businesses, schools, hospitals and old age homes.

“Nothing is being done to support business … and who will be held responsible for any damages done to business and the losses already incurred by business in the last shutdown, never mind the new one that they are planning. We support all the hard work done by the task team but as business we feel that the matter at hand is not being dealt with,” Nocci said in a statement.