Inside Report
I still maintain that violence is never the solution but is all too often the result of situations such as these.
Real men don’t run
The ruling party proved yet again that ignoring a problem in the hopes that it will magically go away – will only make it worse.
I am really starting to sound like a stuck record, harping on and on about the lack of clear vision, guidance and leadership in this metro. Going on and on about poor planning and no commitment, but I have no choice really because it is, what it is, and right now it is yet another crisis.
Earlier this week MK veterans went on the rampage at the Germiston council building over a dispute about compensation for their services during the struggle. Now this issue has been around for the past five years without any solution in sight. The sad part is that one of the city officials, Ms Dlamini, was badly beaten in the process.
I still maintain that violence is never the solution but is all too often the result of situations such as these.
It is disheartening to see violent acts such as this play out especially when people are hurt and property is damaged, but my view here is not so much on why the MK vets went berserk, but rather on what was happening as this unfolded. A DA staff member, researcher Warren Gwilt, was outside the building when the violence unfolded and was witnessing first hand the destructive power of an angry mob.
Now most people would have turned tail and got out of there, fearing for their own lives, which is completely understandable. However, Warren did the opposite, he knew that our female staff members where still in the building and were completely unprotected.
Now this is where the mark of a man and true character (in my opinion) is shown. Warren ran into the fray through the protestors to protect our female staff. In the process he was shot with a rubber bullet and subjected to tear gas yet he persevered regardless. That in my mind is heroism in its truest form. So to Warren … I salute you sir, for you showed that a real man doesn’t run from danger but rather guides his way through it in order to protect those most vulnerable and those most in need. Secondly, I would like wish Ms Dlamini a speedy recovery, for surely you should not have had to bear the brunt of the mobs frustration.
