African News Agency
JOHANNESBURG: The South African Local Government Association (Salga) condemned the violent protests in Limpopo that resulted in the destruction of property and municipal infrastructure.
“It does not make sense to destroy municipal property or facilities. With the limited fiscus that is allocated to municipalities, the reality is that many have limited resources or means to rebuild the facilities that protesters destroy; as a result, it will take years to have them rebuilt,” said spokesperson Tahir Sema.
Violent protests by residents of Mapela, outside Mokopane in Limpopo, entered a second week as residents demanded jobs and community projects from mining company Mogalakwena Platinum Mine, owned by Anglo American Platinum.
Learning at schools was disrupted as residents continued to block roads and vandalise properties in the area.
Sema said Anglo American Platinum management should hold a public meeting with residents, and commit to resolving the problems in the area.
In another protest, at least 20 buses were reportedly set alight overnight, and a satellite police station was also vandalised in Marapong, Lephalale.
In Vuwani, residents looted shops and vandalised property as they continued protesting against being included in the newly planned Malamulele Municipality. Chaos in the area last month saw schools and businesses closing down.
The protesters demanded that President Jacob Zuma intervene and accede to their demand to be excluded from the Malamulele Municipality.
The protests were sparked by the Municipal Demarcation Board’s announcement in July that Malamulele would get its own new municipality, which would be known as the Malamulele-Vuwani Municipality. The board decided to incorporate the Vuwani area into the new municipality.
A police nyala and a truck were set alight when residents took to the streets on Friday, and police warned motorists to avoid the area.
The road from Elim through Vuwani to Malamulele was blocked with rocks and burning tyres.
The Municipal Demarcation Board’s decision came after years of protest by Malamulele residents, who demanded their own municipality and to be separated from Thulamela Municipality, which they accused of ignoring their plight for services.
The new municipality will incorporate Vuwani, which falls under Vhembe Municipality.
Sema said: “Burning municipal buildings and facilities is not just an act of vandalism punishable under public violence, it is similar to destroying your own house and furniture as a result of anger. This does not make sense, and should be condemned by all caring and patriotic South Africans”.
Meanwhile, residents of Pienaar, in Mpumalanga, blocked roads and protested against a construction company they accused of not employing local people, police said yesterday.
“They placed obstacles such as rocks and tree stumps on the road next to the police station . They accused a company constructing a road in the area of not employing enough local people,” said police spokesman Selvy Mohlala.
He added that there were no reports of destruction to property.
No arrests have been made.