UPDATE: 25 January – 7.52am
* The situation in Morgenzon is currently calm.
The police deployed additional reinforcements in the area last night.
Public Order Police (Pops) have also been deployed.
Various safety precautions are still in place and the situation is closely monitored.
Residents of Morgenzon are safe and there is currently no cause for concern.
See more photos of the truck that was set alight last night:
UPDATE: 24 January – 4.42pm
A report just came in that a truck near the bank in Morgenzon, has been set alight.
UPDATE: 24 January – 2.40pm
After discussions between a farmer from Morgenzon and Mr V A Gwebu, Morgenzon march coordinator, an agreement was reached on several points, however, Mr Gwebu told the Advertiser that he has no control over the community anymore.
“They want to see the mayor.”
According to him, police officers are clashing with protesters, with people on both sides apparently being injured due to stones being thrown and rubber bullets flying all over the place.
As more information comes to light, the Advertiser will update its readers.
UPDATE: 24 January – 2.07pm
The Advertiser met up with Mr V A Gwebu, Morgenzon march coordinator, outside the Standerton Magistrate’s Court and asked him why the protest has turned violent and why there was a standoff between some of the protesters and farmers.
He said that armed farmers were provoking protesters by moving in the same circles as police.
When confronting one of the farmers about Mr Gwebu’s statement, he responded that the farmers agree with every single point in the memorandum and even other issues not listed, but they were not going to allow protesters to run rampant and cause havoc by destroying property and intimidating people.
“Protesters are breaking down signs, causing damage to municipal and private property and not only threatening peoples’s lives, but also their livelihood.
“We are all in agreement, but do not condone however, the way the protest is being conducted.”
Mr Gwebu said they were willing to engage with the farmers to discuss a way forward, but the farmers needed to approach them.
The Standerton Advertiser also contacted a farmer who was willing to see whether they could come to an amicable solution.
The protest allegedly erupted in Morgenzon on 23 January after Mr Linda Dhlamini, Lekwa Executive Mayor, was a no-show to receive a memorandum drawn up by the community, under leadership of Mr Gwebu.
Mr Gwebu said that they have been trying to get a hold of the Lekwa executive mayor, but that he is missing in action.
The Standerton Advertiser tried to contact Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, Lekwa’s communications manager, to find out where the mayor is and why he is not addressing the community of Morgenzon in order to restore the calm, but calls to her went unanswered.
UPDATE: 24 January – 10.55am
The situation in Morgenzon is very tense with protesters armed with petrol bombs and entrances to town blocked off.
According to a local business owner, protesters put up a list of demands around town.
A memorandum was supposed to be handed over to the MEC of Cogta, Mr Speedy Mashilo, Gert Sibande District Executive Mayor Mr Muzi Chirwa, Lekwa Executive Mayor, Mr Linda Dhlamini and the chief magistrate on Monday, 21 January.
According to Mr V A Gwebu, who was elected by the community to coordinate the march, they have not yet been able to meet with Mr Dhlamini.
“His refusal to meet the community is the root of the problem,” Mr Gwebu told the Standerton Advertiser telephonically.
According to Mr Gwebu, an application to march was submitted on 6 December, but it allegedly disappeared, so they had to re-apply which they did.
See the memorandum below:
More information will follow shortly.
UPDATE: 24 January – 9.15am
The road from Standerton to Morgenzon is barricaded with a tree.
According to the communications officer of the Morgenzon Police, Const Nzimande, police are on the scene.
The reason for the protest could not be confirmed.
A resident, Mr Corné Nel, described the situation as tense.
23 January – 9.35pm
Protesters barricaded the entrances to Morgenzon earlier this evening, 23 January.
According to a WhatsApp message sent out by a farmer at about 7.45pm, roads were barricaded with burning tyres and stones were hurled at vehicles trying to enter the town.
He said that there was a contingent that offered safety to residents at an area in town, but that other parts of town were unsafe.
At this stage it is not clear what protesters are aggrieved about.
EARLIER TODAY: UPDATE – Protest shifts to Standerton Police Station after five people are arrested in connection with public violence
The Standerton Advertiser contacted Mr Jannie Kasselman from Kasselman Security Services who confirmed the situation in Morgenzon.
He mentioned that they have personnel stationed in town along with other stakeholders who are monitoring the situation carefully.
At 9.22pm a call was made to the farmer who sent out the WhatsApp message, according to him, the protest has subsided and it seems as though protesters have dispersed.
The Standerton Advertiser will keep residents updated regarding any developments.
