Brakpan SAPS mediates peaceful protest
Representatives for the community and the construction site were appointed, who then successfully negotiated a solution.
The Brakpan SAPS received a tip-off on Tuesday morning that community members planned to march to and picket in front of a construction site near the Mgongo informal settlement (Old Brakpan Location).
Sector One manager and corporate communications officer Constable Audrey Buthelezi and Sector Three manager Sergeant Elvis Mashifane were dispatched to Location Road to monitor the protest.
Less than 50 men and women held the unlawful but peaceful protest that law enforcement approached.
“We enquired about their intentions. The community said they peacefully wanted interaction with the site’s managers and the MMC for Human Settlement because of dissatisfaction regarding employment at the site,” Buthelezi explained.
“We mediated between the community members and the construction site leaders until both parties chose representatives, who then negotiated in the site’s boardroom.
“After almost an hour, the representatives emerged and bestowed feedback to the community members.”
The construction site leaders and community members expressed gratitude for the SAPS officials’ professional handling of the situation.
“They expressed gratitude to the SAPS and cited that all went smoothly because of their presence,” Buthelezi said.
The crowd peacefully dispersed after negotiations, and SAPS received situation reports every 30 minutes until the protest ended.
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