STREETS ON FIRE
Roads and property damaged as mob runs amok
THE Enoch Mgijima ANC sub-region leadership has distanced itself from service delivery protests that took place in Komani on Monday, saying they were fuelled by opposition parties who were trying to score political points.
The sub-region’s chairman, Nkululeko Ngcefe, speaking at a press briefing, said there had been no formal complaints from the protesting residents and therefore he did not understand what the protest action was about.
“The [Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality] mayor Sisisi Tolashe had responded to all petitions and memorandums of complaint submitted to her office in meetings with various communities.
“The protest was unnecessary and led to the damage of municipal property that was of help to residents. This was a just a stance by opposition parties to gain momentum and political points ahead of the 2019 election.
“We cannot expect the newly-deployed mayor to fix all our problems at the same time. This is an attack on government and we condemn these anarchists’ behaviour of damaging property during protests.”
Ezibeleni and Mlungisi residents took to the streets on Monday morning in protest against the lack of service delivery and the looming sale of municipal assets.
Ezibeleni residents also called for the removal of two ANC councillors in the area who they said were not proactive.
The violent protest saw 21 people arrested (including EFF MP Zolile Xalisa) and charged with public violence, malicious damage to property and contravention of the National Road Traffic Act.
They appeared in the Queenstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
In Ezibeleni, the Unathi Mkefa community hall and an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) centre containing building material including paint, rubber boots and doors were set alight, with some items looted by protesters.
A total of 10 people were arrested in Ezibeleni, seven on charges of public violence and destruction and three on charges of malicious damage to property, arson and theft. They were due to appear in the Ezibeleni Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
SAPS provincial spokesman Khaya Tonjeni said the police had maintained a heavy presence in the affected areas and urged commuters to be vigilant on the affected roads in and around Komani.
“The situation is volatile and police continue to monitor the protest. Four males and 17 females were arrested and charged with public violence, malicious damage to property and contravention of the National Road Traffic Act. A community hall in Ezibeleni was also burnt down.”
Protesters blocked entrances to Ezibeleni, Mlungisi and some parts of the N6, demanding the MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Fikile Xasa, address them.
After protesters had been arrested, a meeting with community leaders and the Ezibeleni police station commander, Colonel Bekekile Waka, was convened
to discuss why people had been arrested, which resulted in Xasa being phoned and asked to address the protesters.
Community leader in Ezibeleni Xolani Ngxathu said he had spoken to Xasa, who said he would visit Komani yesterday (Thursday) to speak to the people.
“I spoke to him on the phone and he promised to come on Thursday. If what he will tell us when he comes is not favourable, we will continue with the protest until the PEC comes. Today (Tuesday) we will attend the arrested members’ appearance in court.”
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality mayor Sisisi Tolashe said she had noted and condemned the protest in the strongest terms.
“We have created platforms for engagement and traversed all wards, engaging with our communities. We have received a number of petitions and in our view the matters that were raised have been resolved.
“It is therefore reckless for anyone to incite the youth to destroy the hard-acquired assets which are meant for the communities’ social and economic development.”
Cogta spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam confirmed the MEC would visit the town to listen to the community’s grievances.
“It is part of the department’s mandate to intervene in municipalities when there is a need, especially during a protest action that derails service delivery.
“The MEC appeals to every community member to refrain from any destruction of state property during protests.”
On Tuesday, Xalisa was released on R300 bail and 20 other Ezibeleni residents were released on warning as they were unemployed.
They were represented by Zolile Matiwane from Matiwane Attorneys, who represented the group pro bono. They will return to court on August 11. Xalisa said, “When you are a community leader and people are dissatisfied with service delivery, you are obligated to join them. What is happening in Ezibeleni is overdue. The township is exposed to housing corruption. We sent complaints about the issue to the EMLM. The municipality is sitting with reports which were supposed to expose the people behind the theft.”
The Rep reported “We want services” June 1, that claims were made of RDP houses being rented out to foreigners to use as shops.
He said the amalgamation of Lukhanji, Tsolwana and Nkwanca had taken place without consultation while municipal assets were being auctioned and power and water cuts and poor roads were the order of the day.
“We need services to come to the people because they are paying rates.”
Xalisa said EMLM wanted nothing to do with Ezibeleni, adding that if protests continued they should do so until it caught Xasa's attention.
“The only thing we will not support is the burning of community halls and the looting of foreign nationals’ shops. We support our African people.”
Ezibeleni EFF secretary Thulani Bikani said: “We are not ashamed of being arrested for the cause of fighting for community members’ needs.” Steps would be taken against the police, who he claimed responded “brutally” to unarmed people during the arrests. “They did not see us burning tyres or carrying stones and we did not refuse to be arrested.”