Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Ms Sibongile Manana has condemned the thuggery and destruction of property that has accompanied the service delivery protests that began on Sunday in Siyathemba and later spread to Ntorwane in Greylingstad.
Manana says that the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa guarantees the Right of Freedom of Expression that includes the right to demonstrate, picketing and petitioning.
“We acknowledge that the demonstrators might have genuine concerns regarding service delivery, but we cannot turn our province into a crime haven in the name service delivery protests.” “We are therefore encouraging the police and other law enforcement agencies to decisively deal with the thugs who are using concerns of our citizens to commit horrendous acts of crime,” says Manana.
She called on the residents to respect the properties of individual residents whether they are South Africans or not. She said they must also respect state property because once property is destroyed it takes time to rebuild so that normal life in the area is restored.
She encouraged those who have information regarding these rogue elements to come forward and give information to the police so that they could be swiftly arrested and be dealt with accordingly.
Manana was responding to the protests that began on Sunday, 19 July 2009 in Siyathemba and spread to Ntorwane. The protests led to a clash between the police and the community.
It is also alleged that looting took place in shops belonging to foreign nationals and burning of municipal properties.
Over 80 people have been arrested and charged with public violence and the department urges the relevant authorities to make sure that suspects are prosecuted.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
23 July 2009
Source: Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mpumalanga Provincial Government (http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/)
