More video footage emerges as protest organiser says ‘there was never intention to cause damage’
A deadline of June 27 was given for a response to the memorandum of grievances or Endumeni would be made ungovernable
Wandile Ngcobo, one of the co-ordinators of yesterday’s intense protest action against the municipality, says ‘there was never any intention to damage any property… our only intention was to register our grievances against the municipality and Council.
VIDEO: TEAR GAS SCATTERS CROWD GATHERED OUTSIDE MUNICIPALITY
School children joined the protesters as street signs, the signs of private businesses, rubbish bins and other infrastructure was destroyed in the frenzy.
VIDEO OF MARCH ON MUNICIPALITY:
However, Mr Ngcobo, of Sibongile , said there was a criminal element who did the damage as ‘some drunk people also used the opportunity to do what they did’.
He said the memorandum, listing the grievances, delays in promised housing projects, alleged corruption, appointments in the municipality and other issues, was handed to a representative of the Premier’s office who arrived after 3.30pm to speak to protesters.
A deadline of June 27 was given for answers ‘or the municipality would be made ungovernable’.
In a radio interview with Gigasa FM, Mayor Richard Mbatha, said later that the march ‘had been organised by the ANC and that the Municipality was doing well, having well passed the budget and IDP’.
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