Protesters attack initiation hut of councillor’s son

Angry protesters from Leaches Bay who on Wednesday threatened to set their councillor, Nontsikelelo Peter, and her daughter on fire have been accused of burning down an initiation hut used by Peter’s son.

The incident happened at Sunset Bay near the Alexander Golf Club on Wednesday night, just hours after residents surrounded Peter and threatened to torch the vehicle she was driving in, with her daughter as a passenger inside.

BCM spokesman Sibusiso Cindi confirmed the incident, saying a group of protesters went to Peter’s son’s initiation hut.

Fortunately, he was not inside at the time.

“Protesters the hut and watched it as the fire was burning and some among them were cursing and shouting, telling the son of Councillor Peter to come out,” said Cindi.

People from nearby houses rushed to the scene to help the initiate and others.

“Fortunately, there were good samaritans who saw what happened and took it upon themselves to extinguish the fire.

“Luckily, Councillor Peter’s son was not injured as he was not inside the hut when the protesters were burning it,” he said.

The action has been condemned by the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders (ECHTL).

ECHTL chairman Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said initiation huts were sacred places that needed to be protected and respected.

“We cannot do that, that’s a sacred place.

“Also, the mother’s sin is not that of the initiate.

“We strongly condemn this. Those who have done this must go to the family and apologise,” said Matanzima.

Matanzima said only family members were allowed to burn an initiate’s hut, and only at the right time.

“This will leave our ancestors angry – they will leave us and we don’t need that, not today.

“Where are we taking this nation if we will abuse these innocent souls who want to be men and build this nation?”

Cindi said the metro was concerned that the matter seemed to be personal and not only about power outages.

“The residents seem committed to harm Councillor Peter or her family.”

Cindi confirmed that the BCM council had approved that law enforcement officers provide security for Peter.

“Law enforcement has been requested to provide some form of security for Councillor Peter and her family until the situation has calmed down.”

Peter could not be reached for comment yesterday.

East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala confirmed that Peter visited the police yesterday to report what had happened to her on Wednesday.

“At this stage we can’t comment about what she has told the police but we can confirm that she’s reported this to us,” said Mqala.

Cindi said the metro would “act firmly” against those who broke the law and those who committed violence in their communities.

“We reiterate that violence is not the answer to solve communal problems, but people need to talk and find each other,” said Cindi, adding that disgruntled community members should contact BCM’s offices if they had problems.

“Citizens have to submit their municipal service complaints and grievances to their Petitions and Customer Care Offices.

“We promise we will attend to these promptly,” Cindi said. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za