Service delivery protest led to one protester being shot

As a result of the gun wound, Jabulani Williams was admitted to the Thelle Moerane Regional Hospital after being allegedly shot on the upper body by the councillor.

Communications official at Katlehong Police Station Capt Mega Ndobe confirmed the Ward councillor Clr Gladstone Zide had been arrested in connection with the shooting incident and had been charged with attempted murder.

“I can confirm that Zide was arrested. He appeared in Palm Ridge Magistrate Court on July 8 and is out on bail,” said Ndobe.

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According to Sipho Zwane, chairperson of Ekurhuleni Service Delivery Forum (ESDF), when the shooting took place the residents had marched to his house to protest against regular power outages that lasted for two weeks and the closed tender system that did not benefit the residents, and was not open to the community for scrutiny.

“We believe that tenders are not given to the right people, and the community did not know what processes were being used to award tenders,” said Zwane.

He also said there were young people from the ward who registered their companies but are never considered for anything.

“These young people were advised by the same ward councillor to register companies, and that they would be given opportunities should there be any job opportunities available, ” Zwane said in an interview with Kathorus MAIL.

“The anger of the community came as a result of seeing people, not from the community awarded tenders,” said Zwane.

Zwane added he was not happy about the R1 000 bail given to Zide, especially because he had previously allegedly committed such as an offence.

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However, Zwane said he was happy a docket was in the hands of the organised crime unit in the province. “This gives us hope that Zide will face the charges and the docket will not disappear.”