eMba-protest leader’s house set alight
He claims to have been kidnapped by the people who set fire to the municipal offices.
eMBALENHLE- Mr David Mahlangu, leader of the latest protest that left the newly built Govan Mbeki municipal offices in soot and ashes again on Monday, June 14, wants to know why his RDP house at Ext 18 was set alight.
The municipality’s technical yard offices were also damaged and employees ran for the lives when protesters broke through the fence and stoned the building.
Some tried to open the offices but the police used rubber bullets to push them away.
Mr Mahlangu said their intention when applying for the march, was to demand stable electricity supply without municipal load shedding. It was not supposed to leave damages.
He said they wanted a peaceful march but he now blames politicians of using dirty tricks to runaway from the real problem.
“I was kidnapped as the leader of the march after we waited for hours for the mayor to come and receive our memorandum.
“My house was set alight by people who are known to community, fortunately my neighbours managed to extinguish the fire before it caused more damage.”
Mr Mahlangu lost furniture and other essential things.
His kidnappers wanted to know who funded him.
“I told them that I’m not funded by anyone, I am leading the march about electricity that is making our life difficult. I am not fighting political
battles,” explained Mr Mahlangu.
He said his kidnappers made some phone calls to a known politician, saying they have him.
“The police came and rescued me after several hours of being kidnapped.
“The political situation at eMbalenhle is oppressing us not to raise our voices. This is something new to me.
“I was chased with pangas and other weapons before I was kidnapped. ”
Mr Mahlangu said it was not the marchers who set fire to the municipal buildings, but those who kidnapped him.
“This group came from nowhere while we were still talking to police and began throwing stones at the police. The police then reacted and that is where they pushed into the municipality offices and set the fire.
“Then suddenly the same people came out with a fire extinguisher and called my name while they chased me.
“That fire extinguisher is with them. I told the police the whole story when I was gave them my statement,” concluded Mr Mahlangu.
The police confirmed that Mr Mahlangu opened a case of assault, arson and kidnapping.
He was also arrested on Sunday, 21 June, and charged with public violence.
“Mr Mahlangu is expected to appear in the Evander Magistrate Court soon,” said Busi Mthethwa, eMbalenhle police spokesperson.
