Ramaphosa, ANC leaders and Mahumapelo meet amid violent protests
The meeting between ANC national leadership and party provincial structures is to find a solution to the ongoing unrest.
Looting and rioting during community protests calling for North West premier Supra Mahumapelo to step down on April 18, 2018 in Mahikeng, South Africa. The revolt against Mahumapelo has resulted in the looting of shops and trucks being torched in the area. Picture: Gallo Images
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who flew in from the UK last night to rush to Mahikeng to quell the violent protests amid calls for North West premier Supra Mahumapelo to step down, has arrived where the ANC is meeting in the province’s capital to address the unrest.
An unverified Twitter account described in its bio as the “official ANC North West Province Twitter profile,” dismissed allegations that Mahumapelo was refusing to meet with the state and party president.
Allegations that ANC Provincial Chairperson and Premier, Cde Supra Mahumapelo, is refusing to meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa are not true. Cde Supra has been at the meeting venue since 11am.
— ANC Bokone Bophirima (@MyANC_Bophirima) April 20, 2018
The government has condemned the protests, urging residents and all stakeholders to enter into talks in order to find a peaceful solution.
The protesting residents, however, are demanding that Ramaphosa remove Mahumapelo.
Mahikeng has been shut down amid widespread looting and public violence since Wednesday, as calls for Mahumapelo to resign intensify.
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