UPDATE: Phomolong clinic earmarked for a drug rehabilitation centre torched
Mayor condemns vandalism of property in Phomolong
Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Clr Mzwandile Masina condemned the continuous vandalising of property by protesters in the Phomolong area.
Phomolong residents took to the streets to raise a number of service delivery concerns yesterday. During the protest they blockaded streets, and vandalized among others, a municipal pay point, guard house, municipal offices and a portion of the centre for the aged.
Tembisa protesters demand response from mayor to service delivery grievances
This morning an old clinic, which was earmarked for a drug rehabilitation centre in the area, was set alight as the protests continued.
“The mayor was there last night to receive the memorandum.
“He appealed to the people to stop with the vandalism of public and private property because such actions do not take us as a city forward but rather backwards,” said mayoral spokesman Zweli Dlamini.
“Worse of all the issues they raised are receiving urgent attention. Although there was an undertaking in this regard, this morning we woke up to news that a clinic is on fire,” Dlamini said.
Mayor to meet with Phomolong residents this afternoon
Clr Masina, will be holding a public meeting at the Phomolong Stadium on Tuesday, to give feedback to the community on the memorandum he received last night.
“The mayor gave this undertaking to the residents of Phomolong yesterday and explained that he needed some time to thoroughly investigate the issues they raised before engaging with them on the municipality’s position on the issues,” said Dlamini.
In the meantime, the mayor is calling for calm and stability in Phomolong. Heavy police presence remains to monitor the situation in the area.
Tembisa ‘under close police supervision’
@JJTabane We'l b lucky if we nap 2nyt, Tembisa Phomolong is on fire, shops r looted, rubber bullets r flying @MYANC is burning our township
— Mampuru Makuduele Mampuru (@Mampuru_Mampuru) October 19, 2016
@SABCNewsOnline theres an endless strike at Phomolong Tembisa gauteng its even turning violent things are getting out of hand
— Klaas_s (@sibongileklaas9) October 19, 2016
The traffic on Allandale road is terrible and it was the same even this morning. I guess the protest in Phomolong had an effect.
— Luvo Sponono Somsakazo (@LSponono) October 19, 2016
