Mankweng unrest flares up again

Residents in Mankweng were on the rampage for a second day in a row yesterday (Wednesday) after being mobilised by community members to not pay their municipal rates and also, allegedly, because of water shortages.
Yesterday protesting residents blocked roads in Mankweng and the R71, shut down schools and shops at the Mankweng Mall and threw litter and rubbish out in the streets.
“A total shutdown.” is how Mankweng Police Spokesperson, Matimba Maluleka described the situation. He told Polokwane Observer that a case of illegal gathering was opened on Tuesday and on Wednesday a case of public disturbance, but nobody had been arrested at the time of going to print.
Polokwane Municipal Spokesperson Matshidiso Mothapo said the protests were about members of the community wanting to have their assessment rates scrapped. He said a representative of the Municipality was at Mankweng on Tuesday to talk to the community representatives “but the meeting did not deliver”. He said the municipality wanted to report on smart metering and what the current status was and to address metering issues, but the representatives were not willing to listen to the municipal leadership. He said they said they will take their complaints to the Mayor of Capricorn District or else the Premier.
“We are doing what we can to assist that community, the municipality is reviewing its debt book and we cannot isolate certain areas and give them preferential treatment. They are not willing to listen,” Mothapo said.
Polokwane Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng was to meet with Mankweng residents late yesterday afternoon.

Story: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: All shops in Mankweng Mall were closed on Wednesday after protest action broke out for the second day in a row in the township.