BULLETS where flying on Sunday morning in Mahwelereng when the police prevented residents to attend a gathering in the Piet Pale Stadium.
The Mogalakwena Residents Association (MRA) planned to discuss a march to protest against the poor service delivery of the municipality at the stadium. What was supposed to be a peaceful gathering ended in chaos when the police stopped the residents from entering the stadium.
Angry residents burned tyres and threw stones at the police who retaliated with rubber bullets. Several residents were hurt and taken to the Mokopane hospital.
The tension was explosive and residents shouted to Bosveld that they had enough of the on-going municipal fights.
“We have had no water and services for weeks. We are tired of this corrupt municipality,” a protested shouted.
Taps have run dry and rubbish has piled up in the streets as a result of the on-going war between two ANC factions for control of the municipality that began last year.
Col. Ronel Otto, spokesperson for the Limpopo police, said two groups planned to have a meeting at the stadium. The police intervened when the residents became hostile.
Beyers Smit, DA member of parliament, said he was at the stadium and everything was under control, it was unnecessary for the police to restrain the community to attend the meeting at the stadium, although a double meeting was deliberately booked by Tlhalefi Mashamaite to prevent the MRA to have a meeting at the stadium.
“Violence started when the police forcefully tried to disperse the crowd who said they will stay for Mashamaite’s meeting in the afternoon,” he said.
On Monday morning, various schools in the area were closed due to the unrest.
DA parliamentary leader, Mmusi Maimane returned to Mogalakwena on Monday with provincial DA leader. Jacques Smalle, after he was kept from entering the municipal premises last Tuesday by ANC municipal officials and the police.
“I am proud to be gathered here with you in solidarity for the suffering you are enduring from lack of service delivery, while ANC councillors wage a factional battle for control of the municipality’s resources. The national Police Commissioner must come here and explain why nothing is being done about the riot and police reporting to a local ANC faction to suppress residents,” Maimane said.
He said he laid a complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Directorate against the riot police. “Police officials acting under political instructions must be suspended from their duties,” he said.
Maimane praised the community for showing a desire for a corruption-free municipality and a government that delivers services.
While Maimane met with residents in Mahwelereng, Makoma Makhurupetje, MEC for the department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta) launched a cleaning campaign at the Mogalakwena municipality.
After a meeting with Tlhalefi Mashamaite and other municipal officials, she explained to the municipal workers that the cleaning campaign is carried out as part of a programme to resuscitate service delivery.
She said the people of Mogalakwena deserved better than what they have been experiencing recently.
She invited all to join in hands to bring back the situation to normality.
