Angry Meadowlands residents marched to their local police station on Sunday, demanding to know what charges had been laid against community members who had been arrested earlier in the day.
Four Zone 7 residents were arrested early Sunday morning after barricading notorious Maseru Street, demanding that local councillor Norman Ngwedzani be removed.
They said Ngwedzani had failed to erect speed-controlling measures on two streets where two children were killed by speeding motorists recently.
Six-year-old Tshepang Mokoena was killed in Lekankagata Street in January. Nine-year-old Tshegofatso Mampe lost her life after she was hit by a car in Maseru Street, which runs parallel to Lekankagata Street, last month.
Police spokesman Constable Sibusiso Chauke said the four had been arrested for public violence and intimidation.
“Three people were released on bail,” he said.
“The fourth person, who has a previous case for grievous bodily harm, will appear at the Meadowlands Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Police will be visible to ensure safety in the area.”
A resident, who asked not to be named, said her mother was also arrested at her home on Sunday morning.
“I fail to understand why she was arrested because she was not part of the group that had barricaded the road. Police came searching for her in the early hours,” she said.
Dimakatso Ramabele said she was disappointed with Ngwedzani, who she said had failed to give them any feedback on the speed-bump issue.
However, Ngwedzani said residents had failed to wait for the seven days’ notice they had given him to respond, after marching to his office on Tuesday.
“I don’t find it reasonable, because I was given seven days to reply. It is not yet the seventh day,” said Ngwedzani, adding that the project to erect speed bumps was due to start “anytime from now”.
However,
Meadowlands Concerned Residents Association leader Patrick Mohlophegi disagreed, and said Ngwedzani had failed to do his job.
“We were promised that speed bumps would be erected by March. That is why we thought we should barricade the road,” he added.
“We are not pleased about the arrest of some residents. Leaders should engage with community members. They should not resort to opening criminal cases which have no substance. They should in future make sure they address the community, and then resolve the problems,” Mohlophegi said. - The Star