UPDATE (WATCH): Vryheid police use rubber bullets and stun grenade to disperse protestors in CBD
Photos and video have been pouring in of damage to vehicles that were stoned, rubbish being flung in the streets, bins being overturned and protestors behaving aggressively towards by-standers.
Police had to use rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse two groups of protestors, who became agitated to the point of violence when their paths crossed in the Vryheid CBD earlier today.
One group of protestors were IFP members who had organised a legal march from Bhekuzulu stadium to the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court to demand that the court case against three ANC members who were charged with corruption after allegedly bribing a DA councillor, be fast tracked.
The other group was led by former member of the IFP National Executive Committee (NEC), Smangaliso Zwane, who began illegal protest action from last night, blocking off the roads to Bhekuzulu, Sasko, Lakeside and Hlobane with burning tyres, rubble and trees. This group of protestors demanded answers to a number of service delivery questions and fraud allegations that had been submitted to the municipality three weeks ago. Heavy police presence greeted their arrival at the municipal buildings on Market Street.
Mr Zwane accused the IFP of deliberately organising a march today in order to intercept his attempt to arrange a legal march to the municipality, saying he doesn’t know what is wrong with the IFP these days. Provincial chairperson for the IFP, Sifiso Mkhwanazi, accused Mr Zwane of colluding with the ANC against the IFP for his own personal gain.
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Members of the community reported to the Vryheid Herald that the hundreds of protestors led through the CBD by Mr Zwane left chaos in their wake.
Photos and video have been pouring in of damage to vehicles that were stoned, rubbish being flung in the streets, bins being overturned and protestors behaving aggressively towards by-standers.
One resident said he was heartbroken to see how traumatised his 11-year old sister was when she was brought home from school by a teacher after witnessing some of the violence that occurred.
“My sister left home at 6.30am this morning as usual. She travels to school by taxi. When she arrived at school, there were gunshots going off and cars were being stoned. She was among the learners who were locked in the office for their safety until things calmed down enough for a teacher to bring her home. When she got home, she was so scared. It really hurt me to see her crying like that. These protestors must realise that violence cannot solve anything. It spreads and makes the matter worse. To address their issues, they should rather sit down and talk and express their views peacefully.”
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Vryheid SAPS communications officer, Captain Cheryl Venter, say that this was the biggest protest action that Vryheid has seen in the 20 odd years that she has served the town as a police officer.
Medical staff, who asked not to be named confirmed that one person was treated for a gunshot wound at a local medical facility and two other people were treated for assault.
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