Violence returns to eShowe
ESHOWE farmer Donald Saint made a quick getaway with a few of his belongings when he heard that protesters were targeting his farm on Sunday afternoon.
Violence once again erupted when the uMlalazi community grew impatient with the legal system investigating the death of a fisherman who was shot on Gqobhokani farm in March.
The fisherman, 30-year-old Gift Siphamandla Xulu, was shot after a confrontation with a V1 Security guard employed by the eShoweEntumeni Farmer’s Association (EEFA).
Incensed by the murder, residents protested and two farms and buildings were destroyed by the protesters.
A meeting was held at the uMlalazi Municipality Mayoral Chamber to discuss the way forward.
No feedback
The community claims nothing has come of this meeting and they have been kept in the dark as to what is happening with the case.
When the police investigated the latest incident just after 5pm on Sunday, they found debris strewn across the R66 between Nkwaleni and eShowe.
They managed to clear the area and the roads were re-opened to traffic by Monday morning.
Tensions remained high with a few protesters gathering next to the R66 and the Public Order Police from Ulundi and Empangeni remained in the area to monitor the situation.
uMlalazi Mayor Thelumoya Zulu said the eShowe-Entumeni Farmers’ Association contract was terminated with immediate effect and this has been communicated to the community by a delegation from the SAPS and the EEFA.
Advocate Ngceza has undertaken to investigate an incident three years ago when a schoolgirl was run over by a farmer’s vehicle on Saint’s farm.
Although the recent spate of violence is not connected, the community and Saint say they have not yet received any feedback regarding this incident.