Cathcart was in an uproar yesterday as police fought pitched battles with residents opposed to a government plan to close the town’s hospital and turn it into clinic.
Nineteen residents were treated for broken limbs and rubber bullet wounds at the hospital.
Cathcart police spokeswoman Lieutenant Namhla Mdleleni could not confirm allegations of police brutality, saying she had received no report of this nature.
“I can, however, confirm that the police did fire rubber bullets as police officers were trying to open the N6. I can also confirm that two people have been arrested for public violence.”
Two police vehicles were stoned and badly dented and railway power lines were cut preventing trains from travelling between Queenstown and East London for the whole day.
No sign of repair crews were seen by the time the Dispatch left at 4.30pm.
Amahlathi municipal manager Balisa Socikwa said the protest came “as a surprise”, especially when it turned violent.
“We appreciate people voicing frustrations but they need to be mindful of how they demonstrate so as to remain safe,” said Socikwa.
Cathcart anger over hospital
Nineteen residents were treated for broken limbs and rubber bullet wounds at the hospital.
Cathcart police spokeswoman Lieutenant Namhla Mdleleni could not confirm allegations of police brutality, saying she had received no report of this nature.
“I can, however, confirm that the police did fire rubber bullets as police officers were trying to open the N6. I can also confirm that two people have been arrested for public violence.”
Two police vehicles were stoned and badly dented and railway power lines were cut preventing trains from travelling between Queenstown and East London for the whole day.
No sign of repair crews were seen by the time the Dispatch left at 4.30pm.
Amahlathi municipal manager Balisa Socikwa said the protest came “as a surprise”, especially when it turned violent.
“We appreciate people voicing frustrations but they need to be mindful of how they demonstrate so as to remain safe,” said Socikwa.
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