Tshwane riots over mayoral candidate continue
ANC blames hooligans, anarchists for political unrest
NO PUBLIC space in South Africa’s capital would be turned into a no-go area, Defence Minister Nosiviwe MapisaNqakula said in the wake of ongoing political unrest in Tshwane this week.
Briefing journalists in Pretoria, as chairwoman of the government’s justice, crime prevention and security cluster, MapisaNqakula said law enforcement agencies were out in full force to contain violent protests which have broken out in various areas of the capital since the ANC announced that former cabinet minister Thoko Didiza would stand as mayoral candidate in Tshwane ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
“This is the capital city of the Republic of South Africa and there is no way the law enforcement agencies will allow the kind of anarchy that has happened in the past 24 hours to continue,” she said.
She described the scenes, which had played out on the streets of various areas of Pretoria, as the work of “hooligans”, “anarchists” and “gangsters” who were hijacking protests of residents with “maybe legitimate concerns”.
The Gauteng Department of Health said its vehicles had been attacked and in some instances the ambulance service was unable to access patients.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa strongly condemned the violence and appealed for calm in all affected areas.
“We condemn the acts of violence in the strongest terms, all us collectively as government and labour feel very strong about this and call on our people to stay calm, to desist from violence and not even to be tempted by anyone to participate in acts of violence.
“To those who are perpetrating violence, the security forces in our country are on hand to ensure that no one perpetrates violence against anyone and if you do perpetrate acts of violence, you are violating the rights of others and you shall be arrested.”
Protests began on Sunday night after it became clear that was the preferred mayoral candidate for Tshwane to replace incumbent mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa.
An ANC member was shot and several injured outside the Tshwane events centre, where regional leaders held a meeting to decide on a mayoral candidate. The victim died in hospital.
On Monday, three metro police officers had to run for their lives when they were attacked by the protesters. The group overturned their state vehicle.
At least 21 buses were torched overnight in Mamelodi.
In Atteridgeville, two trucks and a bus were set alight yesterday. Shops were also looted. The violent protests continued in GaRankuwa and Hammanskraal.
Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu pleaded with protesters to allow emergency vehicles and personnel into the townships.
“We discourage the burning of clinics or hampering of services.” – ANA