The Elukwatini Satellite Police Station near Badplaas was set alight and totally destroyed yesterday (Monday, May 18) by residents demanding the release of four awaiting-trial prisoners. These men were to appear in the Carolina court today after being arrested for the alleged murder of four members of the gang known as Wrong Turns.
The offices of home affairs was also torched and burned down and four trucks, which were the property of the local municipality, were damaged by residents during Monday night when the windows were smashed.
The guard room at the gate to the municipal building was torched and burned down. Police officials made use of fire extinguishers in an attempt to kill the flames.
According to eyewitnesses, shops were closed on Tuesday and the roads obstructed with burning tyres and rocks. Angry residents were throwing stones at vehicles passing through town.
According to Elukwatini station’s spokesman, Const SP Mbokane, specialised police units from Secunda, Hazyview and Middelburg, Pretoria as well as the dog unit has been deployed to the area.
In a Democratic Alliance press statement issued by Jane Sithole, Mpumalanga spokesperson on community safety, the DA condemned the behaviour.
It reads “While the DA supports the community’s constitutional right to protest, we do not condone the use of violence.”
“This behaviour cannot be condoned and serious measures must be put in place by MEC Vusi Shongwe to keep the community safe and for schooling to continue uninterrupted. The DA calls on the MEC to contain the violence and to have a strong police presence in Elukwatini.”
On Tuesday afternoon the roads have been cleared by the police.
At 15:45 the outcome of the four men’s appearance in court was still not known.
