The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube has deployed a rapid response team to engage with the disaffected community who have been protesting on the R74 near Muden.
“The public protest in Muden has taken an ugly turn with a lot of damage being inflicted on public infrastructure.
Dube-Ncube has called on the community to address their concerns in a peaceful manner without causing damage to public facilities or engaging in violent conduct. We are committed to direct communication with the public but we cannot tolerate acts of sabotage and the digging of trenches on a public road amounts to such an act,” said Dube-Ncube.
“In our experience, mutual respect and dialogue always yield the best results. We therefore urge the protesters to communicate with all the relevant local government stakeholders including Cogta to ensure that their concerns receive a fair hearing,” said Dube-Ncube.
At the same time, the KZN Cogta has issued a stern warning to those individuals amongst the protesters who appear to have taken the law in their hands and decided to inflict damage on the public infrastructure in the area.
“Damaging public roads is a criminal act and it will be dealt with as such. We are determined to make an example of everyone who defies the laws of the country in pursuit of what may otherwise be a legitimate agenda,” said Dube-Ncube.
Contact:
Lennox Mabaso, KZN Cogta spokesperson
Cell: 082 884 2403
Msawakhe Mayisela
Cell: 060 966 4220
