Tarlton protesters await the mayor’s promised visit
Chaos ensued in the Smokefown informal settlement on Sunday after what was supposed to be a peaceful prayer meeting turned violent.
The mood at the Smokedown informal settlement outside Tarlton has been unsettled for the past few days.
On Sunday evening 21 October at 9pm, Tarlton Police and the Community Policing Forum members in the area held a meeting to pray for the area.
According to Constable Lucky Matome, Tarlton Police spokesperson, everything went well and the police left.
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He said that at 10.45pm, however, they were called back. Residents were allegedly not happy with the ward councillor and demanded answers about their electricity situation. According to reports there is no electricity supply to the settlement. Police arrived and tried to diffuse the situation but a group of residents started throwing stones at the police vehicles. Later the others joined in, damaging the vehicles of the police and the councillor. The protesters barricaded the N14 and R24 to stop traffic from passing and also threw rocks at passing cars, injuring one of the drivers.
Protesters then blocked a railway that runs through Magaliesburg to Botswana.
By Tuesday afternoon the protesters have settled down, awaiting the arrival of the Mogale City Local Municipality Mayor, Naga Patrick Lipudi.
A source told the News that the community received a letter stating that Lipudi would come to speak to them on Thursday (25 October). He said that although the situation was calm, they still wanted answers.
Matome confirmed on Wednesday morning that they arrested two people and that a case of public violence has been opened and is being investigated.
“We will never allow or condone a situation where people voice their frustration by damaging property or hindering others from performing their daily tasks. There are other platforms available for them to voice their concerns,” added Matome.
The situation is being monitored and road users are urged to use caution when travelling in the area.
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