Durban - Frantic residents of Mayville and Cato Manor in Durban appealed to ANC heavyweight Sibongiseni Dhlomo on Wednesday to find out why the police appeared to do nothing to stop a rampaging mob destroying buildings and infrastructure and looting Somalis’ tuck shops during housing protests this week.
Dhlomo, the MEC for health and the ANC’s eThekwini regional chairman, was in the area with eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo to assess the aftermath of the protests.
More than 2 000 residents arrived to see the MEC and the mayor - all of them furious that police had not stopped the rampaging of about 700 disgruntled shck dwellers.
Dhlomo promised residents he would go to the Cato Manor police station to find out what had happened.
He said he would also raise complaints with Community and Safety Liaison MEC Willies Mchunu
On Tuesday night, the mob torched the offices of ward 30 councillor Zanele Ndzoyiya, and on Wednesday they set alight the offices of the councillor for ward 101, Mzi Ngiba.
Ngiba also accused the Cato Manor police of watching innocent residents being attacked by protesters.
Nxumalo said
the city was planning to build more houses for those who could not be accommodated in Mayville.
“There are too many people in Mayville. Not everyone will get a house,” the mayor said.
On Wednesday night, police spokesman Vincent Mdunge said the accusations against the police were noted.
“We are of the view that the police acted swiftly under the circumstances,” he said.
“The residents came in huge numbers. They looted shops and destroyed property - the police did everything they could and arrested seven people.”
Mdunge explained that the police needed to be careful in volatile situations.
“There can be a loss of life and the finger will be pointed at the police.
“The claims by the MEC will be investigated and answers will be sought if police did not act appropriately.”
The Mercury