North West Premier has condemned in the strongest terms possible, the torching of a municipal councillor’s house and violent protests at the Rooigrond Informal Settlement outside Mahikeng.
Premier Modise has reiterated her earlier call to law enforcement agencies to stamp out the tide of lawlessness and criminality carried out under cover of darkness.
Modise said that investigations into allegations that senior leaders are behind the coordinated violent protests to advance their person interests should be finalised so that they should take responsibility for their irresponsible and despicable actions.
The premier said that the alleged offer to bail out those arrested by a senior regional leader made in the presence of a provincial leader at a public meeting held yesterday suggest that the allegations that senior leaders are behind the protests are not far-fetched.
“Destruction of private and public properties, intimidation and stoning of vehicles belonging to innocent passer-byes under the guise of service delivery protests undermines the rule of law. We welcome the stance adopted by the Directorate of Public Prosecution in the province not to grant those involved in violent protests bail,” Premier Modise said.
Though the area was provided with electricity in 2003 and water in 2007, the R54,6 million housing development project for the construction of 1 000 housing units in the area had to be suspended and reallocated to the City of Tlokwe Municipality after the appointed contractor was intimidated, threatened with violence and ultimately dismissed from site by some of the residents in October 2007.
Premier Modise said that despite several attempt to unblock development in the area, those who do not need houses have disadvantaged those who need houses by blocking the provincial government and the municipality from meeting their integrated and sustainable human settlement objectives of providing the necessary economic opportunities and other amenities such as agriculture projects, shopping complexes, health, educational, sporting and recreational facilities for the community.
Over fifty people arrested in connection with arson and public violence are expected to appear in court Mmabatho Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Enquries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, spokeserson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
