‘Rowdy elements’ attack council members
Mogale City officials are left disappointed as 'residents choose shacks over houses', but the housing project continues.
The local municipality has responded to the chaos of violent protesters who barricaded Tudor Road at the end of January and caused traffic delays.
The protest lasted for days and one man lost his life when he was knocked over by a police casspir.
“A rowdy group disrupted a meeting called by the Executive Mayor of Mogale City, Councillor Koketso Calvin Seerane on Sunday, 24 January at Tudor Shaft informal settlement,” a statement from Mogale City Local Municipality reads.
“The purpose of the meeting was to outline the relocation plans for residents of this informal settlement that lies over radioactive ground. The municipality has spent R32 million to install bulk infrastructure at Kagiso Extension 13 where the community has agreed to be move to. The Housing Development Agency (HDA) also pledged R57 million to the first phase of an RDP development at the serviced site, which will yield 366 housing units.”
A group of ‘rowdy elements’ allegedly hurled stones at the Mayor as he was outlining the plans, insisting on “staying in their shacks in the radioactive area and disagreeing with those who were happy to move.”
The vehicle of the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Roads and Transport, Barry Friedman, who was allegedly hit with a brick, was badly damaged in the chaos that ensued.
The Special Projects Coordinator in the Executive Mayor’s office, Eric Ngwana also sustained minor injuries from stones hurled at him.
“The municipality is disappointed with the behaviour of these uncouth and rowdy elements. While we are pleased that these acts of anarchy did not result in any loss of life, thanks to the quick response of our public order police, we are adamant that no self-respecting government will leave our people to live in as perilous a situation as Tudor Shaft,” the statement continued.
The municipality will stick to the timelines they have agreed to with the HDA to build the units and provide them to the residents of Tudor Shaft by March.
“We will also continue to engage those who are willing to move as we strive to persuade everyone else to embrace this project as they had bought into it last year. It is the best solution for everyone. No one in their right mind can choose to stay in a shack over a house,” the statement concluded.
More Tudor Shaft news:
• Residents to be moved from radioactive area
• Radioactive ground residents’ removal now a priority
