Mob threatens to burn down Melgisedek building
Angry mob threatened to burn down the notorious Melgisedek building on Friday morning.
A mob armed with sjamboks and knobkerries threatened to burn down the Melgisedek building in Riviera on Friday morning.
DA Councillor Elma Nel said she noticed the angry crowd moving towards the building as she was driving past Melgisedek.
“Police were already on the scene but the crowd was determined to burn Melgisedek down. They also threatened to injure the residents who live there,” she said.
Police spokesperson Captain Koba Brits said a taxi driver and a Melgisedek resident had an argument earlier on Friday. “The taxi driver allegedly gathered some of his friends and wanted to confront the resident.”
Nel’s information was that a woman was robbed in front of Melgisedek earlier on Friday morning as she made her way to work. The robbery apparently sparked the anger.
Nel said the crowd dispersed after intense negotiations. No one was injured.
The mob set two garbage trolleys on fire and vandalised three others.
“Everyone is tired of the ruined state Melgisedek is in. We are calling all residents to sign a petition on Saturday morning in an attempt to force the Tshwane metro to foreclose the building,” Nel said.
She said the police raided Melgisedek on Tuesday morning in an attempt to rid the building of illegal substances and dangerous weapons.
“I accompanied the police and they not only found central locking jamming devices but solid cocaine rocks, heroine, stolen bank cards, identification documents and much more. This has to stop.”
Nel said a petition demanding the closure of Melgisedek would be drawn up. Signatures would be collected opposite the building on 24 January from 09:00 to 12:00.
Brits said there were no injuries and no arrests were made.
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