#SiegeofLadysmith2020: Premier’s meeting with protest leaders descends into chaos
With a broad grin on his face, the mayor said he is not going anywhere
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala; MEC for Transport, Community Safety & Liaison Bheki Ntuli; MEC for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube; and the mayors of both uThukela and Alfred Duma Municipality engaged in two meetings this morning (March 10) in Ladysmith.
However, a third meeting in which Premier Sihle Zikalala was supposed to meet with protest leaders descended into chaos, with protest leaders storming out.
In the first meeting, the government officials engaged with stakeholders and business owners (including the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce & Industry), and then had a second meeting with concerned groups and councillors regarding their grievances.
A media briefing held after the third meeting, between protest leaders and the premier, collapsed after he accused the IFP of attempting to remove the mayor.
The premier and MECs condemned in the strongest terms the violent actions that have led to the destruction of property, torching of trucks and water shortages in some parts of the town. The government officials also visited the site where trucks were torched last night near Colenso, which resulted in the blockage of entry and exit points in town.
Premier Zikalala gave his assurance that government will pull out all the stops to put an end to the anarchy. He promised to use force to restore law and order, and expressed confidence in the police.
Talking after the meeting, protest leaders assured the Ladysmith Gazette that the protest would intensify.
Speaking with local stakeholders, it is clear that the premier and MECs have failed to grasp the issues at stake. They were insistent that the protest is politically motivated rather than taxi-war related. Protesters have continuously stressed that they want Mayor Vincent Madlala to go, accusing him of using state funds to fund the ongoing taxi war.
When asked for a comment outside the Town Hall by an ENCA reporter, the mayor told viewers he was going nowhere, with a broad grin on his face.
Read the full story in this week’s edition of the Ladysmith Gazette.
Read initial story: #SiegeofLadysmith2020 – High-level government team to deal with protest in Ladysmith
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