DA condemns violent protests near Balfour

The DA noted, with concern, the violent protest action in Siyathemba township near Balfour due to the proposed amalgamation of Dipaleseng Municipality with the Lekwa Municipality.

While the DA supports the community’s constitutional right to protest, they condemn the use of violence as a means to be heard.

According to media reports, protesting residents have burned down SASSA offices in Siyathemba, along with the house of executive mayor, Ms Sarah Nhlapo.

The protesting residents allegedly threatened to burn down Dipaleseng municipal offices.

Balfour and its surrounding communities have always wanted to be incorporated into Gauteng.

This coupled with Dipaleseng municipality’s inability to efficiently deliver services and the recently proposed merger with Lekwa municipality have seen the town and its surrounding communities become a hot-spot for violent protest action.

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