Gauteng protests cost province R65 million
The province is suffering big financial losses everywhere.
Weeks after violent mining-related protests in Kagiso caused Mogale City over R850 000 worth of damage, Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Ntombi Mekgwe announced that the Gauteng province is losing large amounts of money overall due to protest action.
Mekgwe issued a stern warning to communities to stop torching public facilities during protest actions as the replacement value of such facilities is escalating and making it difficult for government to rebuild them immediately.
The delays in rebuilding such facilities could result in communities being disadvantaged seriously for many years to come.
MEC Mekgwe’s statement comes in the wake of on-going provincial assessments that so far estimate damage to public property to be around R65 million. The amount is set to rise owing to outstanding reports and ongoing trends.
MEC Mekgwe further commented, “Whilst we understand the public’s right to peaceful protests, the torching of public buildings is a crime. It is illegal, unacceptable and has to stop immediately. If it continues we will reach a stage where all facilities in our societies are ruined to the detriment of us as a people [sic].
These violent protest actions also have reversed key successes achieved over the years and add further financial strain to the provincial coffers.”
MEC Mekgwe further said as the provincial government assessed the losses and implications of these damages, it became very clear that the consequences of such violent service delivery protest action would have long-term negative effects on the affected communities.
“This is mainly because funds needed to rebuild torched public buildings are not budgeted for and could result in most communities waiting for years to regain services.”
