UPDATE: Protests still raging in Waterval Boven as man dies after alleged assault
The protests started yesterday morning.
WATERVAL BOVEN – Violent protests started yesterday after one of the community members was allegedly assaulted by a councillor.
The community member, Joe Mlangeni, was leading work related protests last week when he reportedly got into a fight with the councillor.
His death was confirmed this morning.
“He was chopped with panga’s and axes on his head as well as on his hands when he was trying to stop the attack,” Sipho Ngobeni, Mlangeni’s brother said in tears.
He alleges that the councillor took his brother away from his house on Sunday and that he was found in a ditch yesterday.
The protesters vowed not to stop until the councillor resigns and is arrested. They are closing the tunnel on the N4 and motorists are advised to make use of alternative routes.
READ ALSO: Die val van Waterval Boven
OCTOBER 15:
This morning protests in the area started when community members closed the N4 near town.
According to police spokesman Col Mtsholi Bhembe, the police drove the protesters back into the Waterval Boven township.
He said after the police engaged with the community, they went back to close the N4 this afternoon where they were throwing rocks at cars.
“They are now playing a cat and mouse game with the police,” Bhembe said.
According to him, the community started their uprising this weekend after a community member was allegedly assaulted.
He said the community alleges that it is the fault of one of the local councillors.
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“They are saying he has a group that goes around beating up people and that they want him to resign and be arrested,” Bhembe said.
This he classified as intergroup conflict calling for all role players, like Cogta, to come to the table and solve this ongoing conflict.
“Even though the N4 is now open, motorists are advised to uses alternative roads as the situation is still very tense,” Bhembe said.
Lowvelder will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
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